In my tension work I use hundreds of pieces of strategically placed embroidery floss to build a larger image. This method within my portraiture pays respect to the bits and pieces of ourselves that build up the whole that may require tension to be understood and appreciated. At places the figure and ground flicker, which acknowledges that one’s wholeness interacts with the surrounding world.

I use my color studies of portraiture done in oil pastels to develop into the derivative work. In my plein air work, I work exclusively with a palette knife and attune my eyes to the environment in order to resemble a glimpse on the work surface.