Being an artist is my very well-being. Painting is my first choice among photos, carving, sculpture, jewelry, and pottery. Creating to express pure emotion through any of these mediums is, has, and will always be what I need in my life. My earliest memory is sitting on the floor as a baby in a lava rock house watching my father carve walrus ivory. My father was an artist who taught and encouraged me as an artist. Working with him was priceless. My interest in creating art is to connect with people on an emotional level. After all art and emotions are universal. Techniques vary from medium to medium. Painting with chalk/oil pastels, oil paint, watercolor, and acrylic on canvas, paper, wood, and metal is always my go-to. Any type of wood, walrus ivory, whale baleen, and whalebone are my carving, sculpture, and jewelry choices. Snapping a photo is done either with a traditional camera or a cell phone. Molding pottery is very peaceful. I'm currently working with store-bought clay and firing in a kiln. My style ranges from abstract expressionism, contemporary, plain air, realistic, traditional, and nontraditional. Subject matter includes the amazing world we live in, flora and fauna, space, and emotions that play with the influence and understanding of life itself, whether it's personal or in general. It's undeniable my father was a major influence in my growth as an artist. A few favorites are Georgia O'Keefe, Frida Kahlo, Agnes Martin, Pabilita Velarde, Picasso, Joe Blatchford, Marcel Duchamp, Vincent Van Gough, Piet Mondrian, Poteet Victory and Henri Matisse. Having a clear mind and fresh inspiration is the driving force of my creativity. Being an artist is who I am. Art is my life.
