The Artist

In 2000 my passion for web and graphic design inspired me to enrol in the Fine Arts Certificate Program in Multimedia Design at the Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta. Some of the instructors in the program often told the class, “Never put your sketch pad away.” The pad did disappear for a couple of years and then resurfaced in 2004.

The medium of choice for me at that time was acrylic paint and water-based oils but I have experimented with prisma colors, pen and ink, watercolor pencils, pencil crayons, and more recently, various scrapbooking media including colored powder inks.

The natural beauty of wood has always intrigued me. The thought of painting over wood, to some, is considered taboo. However, the form of art that I discovered a while ago was to use the grain within the wood to depict the natural beauty of various shapes and forms. Each piece of wood has its own characteristic which is brought to life by enhancing with colors, and in some cases adding objects, often in an abstract manner. The final design is viewed differently depending on which way the piece is turned, whether it is turned 90 degrees left or right or completely upside down. Each piece is left to the imagination of the viewer. What I find ironical is that the paintings often take the shape of landscapes, the “ground” in which this wood from trees originally grew in. Some pieces of my art were not painted on wood, but inspired by the grain in the wood.

The photographer

My passion for photography began at an early age while growing up on a farm. I became intrigued by my father’s Kodak Brownie box camera. It amazed me how such a simple looking device could take a photo. From that point on many farm and people photos were taken, first in black and white, and later in color.

Photography faded out of my life for some time and then resurfaced when I bought my first digital camera around 8 years ago. It was at about that point in time when I realized that my interest in photography was deep rooted. I find something unique about everything around us. Photos truly capture “more than a moment in time.” People and the colorful world around us fascinates me. Everyone has unique qualities which I attempt to capture in my photos.

• Fine Arts Certificate in Multimedia Design (Faculty of Extension at the University of Alberta)
• Diploma in Professional Photography (The Photography Institute)
• Past Member, National Association of Photoshop Professionals

Technology has certainly changed the world of photography. Smart phones and advances in camera technology has allowed more and more people to take great photos. I find myself using my photography skills more and more as a backdrop for my art work and design.

Influences

My creative practice is rooted in a vibrant tradition of artists who celebrate color, texture, and the power of visual storytelling. I draw inspiration from the bold color fields and decorative patterns of Henri Matisse and the Fauves, channeling their belief in color as a language of emotion. The layered, narrative-rich collages of Romare Bearden inform my own approach to mixed media, where fragments of paper, music, and found materials become building blocks for new stories.

I am fascinated by the meditative repetition and organic motifs found in the work of Yayoi Kusama, and I strive to infuse my patterns and compositions with a similar sense of wonder and infinity. My process is intuitive and experimental, echoing the spirit of contemporary mixed media artists who embrace chance, accident, and the tactile joy of making.

Nature, whimsy, and memory are constant companions in my art. Whether through playful animal characters, abstract florals, or layered textures, I aim to create immersive worlds that invite viewers to look closer, discover new details, and experience a sense of joy and reflection. My work is a celebration of the beauty found in both chaos and harmony—a visual journey shaped by curiosity, experimentation, and a deep love of color.