Art has the power to capture an ephemeral reflection or fleeting shadow, maintain a moment and catch a glimpse of possible transformation— see things in new light. As an artist, I combine color and texture to create art that initiates a connection to a time and place of desire, beauty, enchantment and seduction.
I make use of visual language to recognize the transient beauty of the Kansas Flint Hills and Konza Prairie with the goal of awakening interest in this complex prairie ecosystem and inspiring my audience to take action for preservation. My art looks beneath the surface and reaches into the spiritual pocket hidden below ground.
I’m never without a sketchbook. I am constantly drawing and recording wildflowers, gradients of a rock or wildlife. Sometimes the drawings are left as process drawings in my sketchbook and other times they develop into collage paintings or sculpture. I use a camera and sketchbook to capture the many moods of the prairies from the spring burning of the fields, sweeping storms, and then quick bloom of the wildflowers. I am inspired by the repetition, rhythm and balance in nature and many layers of composition of the prairies.
My work demonstrates command of artistic media to inspire a visual and emotional connection. I explore different media, study the emotive use of color and push materials to the limits. I paint ‘en plein air with paint and pastel. Or, create an abstraction that express an essence of the time and place using collage and color.
kolorcollage 