2025 - Colored Pencil on Paper
Inspired by the deep questioning of my dear cousin Emma, who passed on Christmas Eve, 2024 - I began making art with my hands again in 2025.
I began a daily practice. First with paints and then with colored pencils. The pencils and complex colors created though ayering became my companion. Everyday, throughout the day, often while doing other things - I DREW.
The flowing abstract shapes became delightful creatures. A butterfly, fish, a whale and the ever present birds, another reminder of Emma who was a bird scientist.
2024 - Explorations in AI
Learning the capabilities of AI was very exciting and the ability to take ideas in my head, type them out and see results instantly was intoxicating. I especially liked combing styles from old masters (aka dead white men) and seeing what new art could be made. I became informed of some of the ethical issues with this modality, including:
Being careful NOT to create anything in the style of a living, working artist
Serious Environmental impacts of AI
The potential to put working artists out of work
These ethical concerns tempered my excitement, however AI is here to stay. It is a tool accessible to all of us, artists included.
2023 - Acrylic Paint on Wood Panel:
I embraced color and freedom in this series and it clearly reflects my personal evolution and season of life.
The freedom element came when I let go of the paint brush. I started using a palette knife and my hands to create designs that are intentional, but uncontrolled, surprising and delightful to me as an artist.
After returning to my roots here in Ann Arbor Michigan in 2022, I felt a deep connection to the land and trees. Green has been a central color in most of my work since then. This color choice has not been conscious, but intuitive.
To me, this symbolizes my connection to nature and the re-opening of my heart chakra (after moving back home), which has allowed for deep and joyful connecting to this place on Earth.
