My artwork reflects my interest in the relationship between humans and nature. From an early age, I fell in love with the animals that I saw in my backyard and in northern Minnesota during camping trips. I observed their wild and free instincts with awe. Since then, my fascination with certain ecosystems and species has grown, and I have turned to ecology books, bird guides and nature writing to learn more. Humans have shared the same habitat with animals, yet we live totally separate lives. People have connected spiritual values and companionship with animals, yet humans still view themselves as the dominant species. My art is the exploration of these ideas both academcially and artistically.
My art positions the intriguing connection of indoor and outdoor space. I have positioned my work to speak to the desired presence of wildlife in the human's home. While a domestic setting might seem far removed from the "wilderness," it has been bedtime stories that have enchanted the forest and ignited my need for adventure. While I read about nature indoors, I experience nature through activities like camping, hiking, skiing, and canoeing. My work reflects my love for the flora and fauna native to the Minnesotan landscape, yet I am also attracted to depicting animals familiar to me through books and stories like Aesop's fables. Art has been a way for me to gain an intimacy with the natural world that I hold so dear.