My inspiration comes from the light and forms in nature, and the sense of calm those things create. I work primarily with leaves and petals because they capture those sensations in a small but complete way, and because I enjoy their malleability. Their changeable forms allow me to use them as abstraction—as a sort of medium within a medium—to suggest skies, clouds, weather and flight. Other series include miniature landscapes and images of koi. Each piece becomes an environment for momentary escape.

Another inspiration for me is fine craft. I feel that craft is an essential component of art. It is important for me to take the time both to plan a painting and to make sure that painting is complete in every sense—composition, balance, color palette, finish level, quality of strokes… it should appear neither unfinished nor overworked. Quality of materials is also essential. I use only the purest pigments and archival materials in both creation and framing of my artwork.