My work is a reflection on contemporary social complexities and their often-inherent instabilities, such as mass consumption, manipulated and exhausted environments, and cultural appropriation and deterioration. Creating something new out of the recycled old is a recurring theme. Deceivingly decorative, on closer inspection my work yields an absurd coherence that teeters on chaos–a refined representation of contemporary society in struggle.

Monotypes

One-of-a-kind monotype prints are made using both traditional and digital printmaking techniques. The traditional monotypes are developed by tracing images onto inked plates that are then run through a press onto Japanese Gampi paper. Photos taken with a cell phone or iPad camera are the background for multi-layered drawings using a basic drawing app. The digital monotypes are created by a process of transferring pigmented ink from transparencies onto thick Japanese Mulberry paper with an acrylic type solution. The prints are then chine colle’d (adhered) to Arches Aquarelle paper.

Paintings

I create collaged works with paint and ink, scanned drawings, appropriated digital imagery, and patterns of décor and textile. These images range from junked cars, bomber jets, falling people, junk mail, and wildlife to ambiguous motifs, and flowers reminiscent of the 1960’s Pop movement. With colors bold and plastic by intent, the final composition is an intricate symphony of contemporary clutter, paradoxically celebrating the vaguely grim effects of a frayed society. Compositions initially pass through a digital printer and are reworked by hand with ink drawing, oil pastel, acrylic paint and traditional printmaking techniques to create a mixed media painting.