Our world has seemingly insurmountable problems and many people are in unspeakable pain. We cannot be afraid to look at that pain, and relieve suffering where we can. But there are also countless moments of beauty. Every day. We shouldn’t look away from these either.

I am constantly focused on training my eye to see. I believe recognizing beauty is a form of gratitude. The act of painting becomes a meditative process of wonder and thankfulness. It’s about stopping long enough to really see and feel the essence of a person or a place. The intention for each of my paintings is to identify what drew me to the subject, and communicate that feeling to the viewer.

Whether I am painting, teaching or leading painting retreats, my goals are the same: nurturing creativity, building community and deepening connection.