ARTIST
STATEMENT
I
like plants... all of them. They clean the air, feed our families,
bring us joy, and soften the edges of a hard world. From mundane
to majestic, each plant has evolved to hold up its end of
the planetary eco-bargain in its little corner of the earth.
I
am drawn to the recurring patterns and wild anomalies that
occur within the botanical world. Having trained in the centuries-old
tradition of botanical illustration, portraying plants with
scientific accuracy and detail is a perfect starting point
for my work. From there I like to push past tradition in search
of some greater content. Unorthodox media help me to fuse
tradition and experimentation. That fine edge of separation
between real and abstract is the line I most like to draw.I
am particularly interested in the idea that botanical art
and illustration is a dynamic and evolving genre. I look to
balance precision with a fresh and contemporary view of plants.
My
drawings begin with graphite and artists' colored pencils
on natural and synthetic surfaces. I often use polaroid transfer
and other photographic techniques well as other artists' media
and collage materials to complete my work.
About
the Artist
I
grew up in Colorado and have always been inclined to draw
and rearrange everything in my path. I formalized my study
of Art and Art History at The Colorado College and the University
of Exeter, England, and went on to teach art while I worked
as a product, interior, and set designer for my own firms
as well as the Discovery Channel and HGTV. In 1990 I discovered
Botanical Illustration at the Denver Botanic Gardens and never
looked back. I received a Certificate of Merit from the program
and was named Student of the Year in 1992. I have illustrated
gardening books, field guides, college catalogues, seed packets,
and even coloring books. I exhibit locally and nationally
and my work is held in many private collections.
I am an
instructor in the Certificate Program for Botanical Art and
Illustration at the Denver Botanic Gardens. I am the past
national Art Director and current consultant to Memories in
the Making, the fine arts program of the Alzheimer's Association.
|
The
real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking
new
landscapes
but
in having new eyes
Proust |
