Bio

I am an interdisciplinary artist and creator of Incense Cedar Studios in Berkeley, CA. I work to create engaging art that marries the beautiful and chaotic aspects of our natural world with the space we need to appreciate it. I draw my subject matter from my lifetime spent in the Sierra Nevada mountains and hope to bring a bit of its beauty to the walls of your home. Ultimately my work centers around joy and healing and how these things can be attained through connection to the environment.

I am happy to have discovered art and printmaking in high school from an amazing art teacher. In 2012, I received a BFA in Printmaking from Pratt Institute in Brooklyn, NY. In 2011 I was gifted the opportunity to study abroad in Venice, Italy. The rich history of the Italian Masters showed me the power art can hold. After college, I received additional training in Mokuhanga, Japanese relief printmaking.

From 2012 - 2016 I worked as an artist and art educator partnering with Drive By Press producing art and teaching woodcut printmaking at universities and events. Schools included were Cal State Universities, art schools such as California College of Arts, community colleges and organizations such as Self Help Graphics in Los Angeles. Independently I have taught image based woodcut printing through San Francisco Center for the Book. I have participated in many printmaking events and conferences including SGCI, the International Print Museum, and many art fairs and DIY art spaces.

My most prominent group show was in 2015, at Yi Geng Art Museum in Beijing, China. I have shown in galleries and event spaces nationally. I have been published in Studio Visit Magazine (inside + back cover).

Artist Statement

My current work explores specific flora and fauna native to the Sierra Nevada mountains in California. When I observe nature, there is the subject within a complex landscape. My method is a reflection of capturing the subject and doing my best to create it’s complex environment through use of literal and abstract shape and color. I work with a combination of drawing, painting, printmaking and cut paper collage to arrive at the final product. I have always found nature to be a stabilizing force in a world of chaos. I make this nature derived work to honor the landscape that I have spent my life enjoying and to share my method of joy and healing.

I see art as a reflection of life. It’s starts with endless opportunity. You choose a project and execute. This is a process of discovery. Then you refine and allow for certain chaos to exist and try to balance the rest.