“Free Range”, Charcoal, 35 1/2x47 1/2”
Separation Anxiety, Charcoal, 35 1/2x43"
To The Chute, Charcoal, 32x34 1/2"3
This series of drawings is based on my exploration of wild horse populations in the United States and how they are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM.) The intention is to emphasize the emotion and oftentimes distress these horses feel when they are removed from the wild and placed in holding pens which are often crowded and unnatural environments.
My Heart, Mixed Media (charcoal, conte, and oil pastel)
This drawing is a self-portrait of sorts. It is meant to depict a reflection of what my heart looks like. The image of a horse has always been symbolic of freedom, spirit, and grace to me. As much as I love horses, this particular horse is symbolic of my own strength and ability to express such qualities. As for the trees, Oregon is home to me. The trees are not only symbolic of the magnificent forests of the Pacific Northwest, but their roots ground me there.
Maternal Instinct, Charcoal, 40x35”
This piece is based on my exploration of wild horse populations in the United States and how they are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM.) The intention is to emphasize the emotion and oftentimes distress these horses feel when they are removed from the wild and placed in holding pens which are often crowded and unnatural environments.
Metamorphosis, Charcoal
This drawing is another spin on a self-portrait. It depicts a metamorphosis that I have gone through at some point in my life. This one in particular involves my struggle with anxiety and how I came out of it. The inclusion of the dragonfly is based on the process of metamorphosis that they go through in their lifetime. The imagery of Prague architecture is included because this piece was complete in Prague during this time of metamorphosis and change.
Under the Microscope, Mixed Media (charcoal, ink, gesso, and conte)
This drawing is a copy of a microscopic image of a leaf. It is a closer look at what life looks like beneath the surface.
Primary Junkyard, Mixed Media (charcoal, oil pastel, ink. gesso)
This drawing is based on scenes that I saw every day on my way to the art studio while I was in Prague. There was a junkyard that I walked past as I got off the tram. I was in Prague for three months as the seasons transitioned from summer to fall which is made apparent by the coloring of the leaves in this drawing. It is interesting how something so ordinary that often goes unnoticed can become so beautiful.
“Nude and Sink,” Charcoal, ink, gesso, and oil pastel 40 x 48”
This piece is based off a collage inspired by the work of other artists. These images play with subject matter that would not normally pose together, and some images are rotated to create a sense of distortion and illusion. The only shape of color was carefully chosen to emphasize but not take away from the composition through the use of negative space.
Public Law 92-195, Charcoal, 14x17”
This piece is based on my exploration of wild horse populations in the United States and how they are managed by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM.) The intention is to emphasize the emotion and oftentimes distress these horses feel when they are removed from the wild and placed in holding pens which are often crowded and unnatural environments.
“Braveheart,” Charcoal, 12 x 16”
This sketch was inspired by a Mustang named Braveheart that was rescued from a BLM holding facility. He was born at the facility but was adopted out to someone who could not properly care for him. A sanctuary in Oregon took him in for the remaining years of his life where he could roam free with other Mustangs. I continue to be inspired by these animals and their ability to endure such conditions without losing their spirit.
The Dripstone Wall of Prague, Mixed Media (charcoal, ink, gesso, and conte)
This drawing is based on photographs and studies I did while at the Dripstone Wall in Prague, Czech Republic. The wall is located in the Wallenstein Palace Garden where it captures the attention of tourists and passersby. This image is just a glimpse of the magnificent wall.
