Artist Statement

Through abstract paper sculpture and installation, I shine a light on the changes taking place within our natural world. From leaves changing colors and the cycles of flowers to the visual impacts of natural disasters and the effects of climate change, I see my work as an act of preservation. Each sculpture serves as a form of documentation or a snapshot of the landscape today; the rhythms we depend on and the plants and flowers we might otherwise take for granted. The paper circles reference the natural world’s repetitive forms and the way individual elements gather and expand into something larger and more profound.

The sculptures are light and airy, drawing a parallel between the ephemeral nature of paper and the whimsy of the natural world. The fragility of paper is often perceived as weakness, something flimsy and easily destroyed, yet in the art of papermaking the fibers can be far stronger than we realize. This tension reflects themes of resilience and regrowth, as well as the innate desire within all living things to grow, heal, expand, and reach toward sunlight.

Ranging in scale from wall pieces to large-scale installations, size plays an important role in the viewer’s experience. I aim to evoke stillness and invite observation as quietly as trees ask for our attention. By placing viewers in environments where they are drawn to look upward and feel small, the installations evoke a sense of wonder similar to witnessing a natural phenomenon. Presenting the work within the clean, open context of a gallery allows these representations of the outdoors to exist indoors, offering space for careful observation. The gallery setting also allows me to work intentionally with lighting and shadows, creating a quieter atmosphere where the work has room to breathe.

Hand papermaking is the backbone of my creative process. My studio practice unfolds rhythmically through its own seasons of gathering, papermaking, circle making, and assembly. Each phase shifts my focus and renews my excitement for the next stage. This cyclical process mirrors the rhythms of the natural world itself as it moves through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.

Growing up in the southern Appalachian mountains deeply shaped my relationship with the natural world. Surrounded by forests, gardens, and rich biodiversity, the plant world spoke to me from an early age. I often incorporate organic matter into my paper to strengthen the connection between my work and the land. The biodiversity of the region, its changing elevations and forest layers, and the experience of living within all four seasons continue to influence my practice. Our connection to the landscapes we inhabit can give us a profound sense of belonging. While many people move away from their place of origin, living for generations in one place fosters an understanding of the land that once defined the lives of our ancestors. Although the rhythms of weather may be changing, deep connection and care for the land remain essential to healing our environmental future.

In my work I pay homage to the natural world in an effort to preserve what surrounds us today. I am deeply aware of our changing climate, intensifying weather patterns, and the fragility of endangered ecosystems. In my body of work titled Lay Bare, I used dried grasses and other visibly water-deprived plant materials to capture the visual dryness of the landscape during severe drought conditions in Northern California. Through these sculptures I aim to renew a sense of wonder for the plants that shape our landscapes and encourage viewers to care for, protect, and advocate for the land that cannot defend itself.