Art Statement and Teaching Philosophy

Artist Statement
I create mixed-media works using materials harvested from bodies of water and land in environments undergoing significant ecological alterations. These locations include the Gulf of Mexico along Tampa Bay in Florida and the Kankakee River south of Chicago, Illinois, where, until just over a century ago, an Everglades-like wetland stretched as far as Florida's. My artworks develop through processes such as pouring, dipping, and combining hand-drawn and painted elements, utilizing the materials I collect and engaging directly with the soil, water, and plant life.
The materials I use are sourced from the two states where I live, located in very different regions of the United States. By employing site-specific soil, sand, and water, I seek to listen to and echo the wounds and stories of the earth, exploring how the environment influences my artistic voice. While my training has equipped me with techniques to manipulate these materials, I’ve found that a lighter touch, allowing more of the earth’s influence, yields more intriguing results. Early in my practice, unable to achieve the control I desired, I dipped paper into a mix of water from Florida’s Gulf Coast and soil materials from Illinois. The outcome, where clean paper meets soiled and wet paper, resembles the roll of an ocean wave against the sky, merging my two homes into one. While this is my interpretation, shaped through attentive listening to the materials, it represents a symbiotic relationship where the materials' voice is also influenced by my temporal and spatial presence.
Living in both Florida and Illinois has uniquely informed my understanding of natural surroundings. Over the past few years, I've collaborated with local artists and scientists to address growing environmental crises affecting the Kankakee River ecosystem in Illinois. Through mixed-media works combined with scientific field research, my project seeks to learn from and listen to natural materials, fostering a hope that viewers will engage with their surroundings with renewed reverence and care.
In the summer of 2023, I integrated traditional watercolor paints with water collected from the Gulf of Mexico, Tampa Bay, and regional freshwater lakes. Painting en plein air with water sourced on-site has deepened my connection and intimacy with both land and sea.
Since 2023, I have developed an interlocking series of 2.5-inch circles cut from the discarded margins of larger paintings created on Arches watercolor paper using water from the Gulf of Mexico and the Kankakee River. These smaller compositions inspire larger paintings, which will become features in new works. This cycle will repeat, as I am challenged and inspired by both the larger paintings and the smaller compositions found along the edges beyond the matboard and framed boundaries.

Teaching Philosophy
As an artist, educator, and curator, I believe in fostering a learning environment that encourages curiosity, critical thinking, and creative risk-taking. My teaching philosophy is rooted in the idea that art is both a personal journey and a communal dialogue—one that shapes identity, explores history, and challenges perception.

Drawing from my experiences in both traditional and digital media, I guide students in developing technical skills while also helping them articulate their artistic vision. I emphasize the importance of narrative identity, urging students to reflect on how personal and cultural narratives influence their work. My courses balance rigorous foundational training with opportunities for self-directed exploration, ensuring that students leave with both confidence in their craft and a sense of purpose in their creative practice.

Through my roles as Department Chair and Galleries Director, I mentor students not only in the studio but also in professional development, exhibition preparation, and interdisciplinary engagement. I strive to create a dynamic classroom that connects historical traditions with contemporary practice, preparing students to navigate the evolving landscape of the art world with thoughtfulness and integrity.

Ultimately, my goal is to inspire students to see their work as part of a larger conversation—one that extends beyond the classroom and into the communities they serve.