My work focuses on natural, social and political subject matter, often relating them to one another. Recently I have found myself interested with history and changes that occur over time; relating to land, environment, industry, people and their cultures. I like to think of my more recent work as both contemporary and historical. It attempts to capture the emotions of British Columbia’s rich coastal history; its darkness, optimism, and its secrets. Like that of Canadian artists Emily Carr and Jack Shadbolt I depict the land around me and its multitude of layers. My impressions are often formed by using multiple images within one work, thus creating a visual diary of events. The work attempts to create a balance between social critique and a mere moment of remembrance of a time and place that once was.

I tend to work with more traditional mediums, my concentration being in painting and drawing. Working intuitively, I start with an idea but stay open to changes which occur in the process of creation. Frequently I find myself working within a series; exploring a subject or issue I am interested in and using my visual documentation as a type of study. The use of juxtaposition is present within much of my work; these comparisons help in expressing my concepts and creating a narrative which the viewer can piece together. With my historical series I work by combining many other mediums into each piece. With the use of photo-transfer, collage, text, ink washes, water-colour, and gel mediums, I am able to create a feeling of time past. The transferring of old photographs and images, having history themselves, help to create a historical narrative as well as a concrete foundation for the work. The photos create small pockets of moments within each work, where the viewer is able to enter the painting and take a step back in time. By taking these images from their original contexts and appropriating them within my work I am able to depict numerous periods of time within one image.

Research is the starting point for much of my work. I am often inspired by what I find in archives, history books, stories, and myths. My vision will change drastically through my research to include or exclude many other elements into each piece. My interest in the history of land and human settlement has largely stemmed from my upbringing. Growing up I spent many summers exploring the coastal area of Desolation Sound by sailboat. I was intrigued by old homesteads, abandoned coastal village sites, and plant species that were non-native to the area; all were like clues, which left me wondering what once was. Later on, after meeting my partner, who is of Coast Salish decent, my interest in the history of the area became even greater. Gaining knowledge and insight into traditional Coast Salish lifestyle and culture has influenced many concepts within my current work. I am ever-curious about the First Nations commitment to their traditional practices; their songs, dances, languages, ceremonies and rituals, and their struggle to keep them alive.

I see my current work as a medium in which I can comment on human evolution; our tendencies to dominate each-other and our natural resources, our ever-growing population, and our world which is constantly in a state of change. I wish my work to respectfully acknowledge the peoples and communities that have made the British Columbia coast their home for so many years; to tell their stories and let the history of the land live on.

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