I'm an artist living in Washington, DC. I work in watercolors on Yupo -- a very slick, very tough paper -- often layering the paint with graphite, conte, charcoal, grease pencils, ink, and colored pencils. I would describe my style as a kind of expressive realism -- loosely painted backgrounds with more realistic renderings of people and objects. In all that I do, color is central.

I don’t wait for inspiration; I find it while working. I start each piece with the background -- layering and layering, creating textures, scratching, dripping, dabbing, and wiping away the paint. I aim to keep it relaxed and instinctive, allowing the watercolors to misbehave, giving the surface character -- grit, noise, wear, imperfection, beauty.

The background inspires my choice of subject, and lends it a sense of history, depth, and richness. This part of my work is more mindful. I try to lift my subjects out of the background, bringing a sense of order, coherence, and meaning to the painting.

I'm interested in both what is seen and unseen. What is important is the personal: home, promises, disappointments, choices, the business of the heart.

Thank you for your interest!