Welcome
Maximalist Folk Art
Discover "Layered Histories"
A mixed-media exploration of materials, expression, and meaning.
Behind the Layers: My Artistic Vision
"Finding the magic in the mess and the meaning in the layers."
After years of living across California, Washington, and Florida, I recently traded in the coastline for the vibrant landscapes of Arizona. I now work out of my home studio in Fountain Hills, AZ. My work as an artist is a reflection of my life experiences and changing environments, blending my background in interior design with a love for maximalist, mixed-media storytelling.
I specialize in contemporary abstraction and narrative portraiture, creating pieces that I think of as "layered histories". I treat the canvas as a journal - a physical record where every mark and hidden symbol contributes to a larger narrative. My process is a deliberate build-up of materials, merging the fluid sophistication of ink and acrylic with the raw, nostalgic grit of wax crayons, pastels, chalk and collage. For me, art is about telling a story on the canvas by capturing the complexity of life thru color, expression and symbolism.
My hope is that you will enjoy my art as much as I enjoy creating it!
More is More: The Heart of Maximalist Style
The Kitchen Sink of Materials (Tactile Texture)
I love building up layers of various mediums. There is no limit to what I can use as long as it is properly applied and professionally finished. This technique creates layered histories on the canvas, ultimately telling the story behind the abstract faces that emerge. I often mix professional grade mediums with what's considered basic art supplies, such as the wax crayons we all used in our childhoods and torn paper or other collage elements. Every material carries its own weight and memory, building on the story the painting tells. These textures invite you to do more than just view a face; they ask you to explore the surface, where the ridges, splatters, and drips serve as a map of the subject's resilience. It's a maximalist approach that ensures the painting feels as complex and multifaceted as the spirit it represents.
Hidden Gems & Symbolism
I've always believed that the best stories are revealed slowly over time, which is why I incorporate 'hidden gems' into every portrait in my Layered Histories series. These are small, intentional symbols tucked into the layers, such as a single dried tear tracing a path of past sorrow or tiny stars in the eyes representing future dreams. I include these details as a gift for the viewer who is willing to slow down and truly look at the painting. They serve as narrative shorthand for the internal world of my subjects. When you discover a hidden bloom or a constellation of white linework, you're not just seeing a decorative element; you're uncovering a piece of the subject's history. It transforms the act of viewing my abstract faces into a sort of treasure hunt, reminding us that there is more beneath the surface than what we see at first glance.
A Vibrant Palette
Living and working in Arizona, I am surrounded by a desert landscape that changes with the sun's position in the sky. My palette reflects this transition, showcasing high noon golds and fiery ochres alongside deep indigos and violets of the dark sky, accented by the vibrant greens in between. I use color, line, and texture as the language of the spirit within each image, particularly in my mixed-media portraits. It’s not just about capturing a likeness; often, I don't have an image in mind until it begins to appear on the canvas. Instead, it's about conveying a temperature through high contrast 'maximalist' color combinations that evoke excitement. Other times, it’s about the cool tones of a steady gaze. Many of the colors I choose are vibrant and bold, mirroring the resilience I observe in the desert and all its living creatures, much like the layered histories of abstract faces that emerge as the light shifts.