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I take inspiration from many things in my work as an artist, especially from the world around me. I try to collect things that I find interesting or pertinent to my creative process and surround myself with them. This can be books, prints, family heirlooms, or even just things I found on the ground. These objects make me feel connected to the world around me as well as my personal history and familial heritage. Additionally, I draw inspiration heavily from historical art movements and folk art. The palette I use when painting largely uses colors with historical significance or those that are often seen used by great masters such as ultramarine, venetian red, naples yellow, and more.

My home is filled with scandinavian folk art such as woven tapestries, pewter pieces, and rosemaling works, as well as a smattering of pieces from other cultures like Pakistani brass and Mexican painted plates, all of which were gathered by older extended family members on their travels around the world and then gifted to me or handed down through the generations. These pieces tell you something about me as a person and my history.

I also often reference the natural world within my work. I find nature and its wildlife so fascinating in its complexities. I find myself collecting little things from nature such as feathers from a ruddy duck or macaw, shells from the shores of South Florida, and even leaves or flowers I find on a walk. By using photography I can capture these experiences in perfect stillness to reference later. These images express the relationships between wildlife and their environments in a way that we may miss when viewing with the naked eye.

Additionally, I use music to inspire me. Music has the ability to evoke strong emotions and I try to capture these emotions within my own work. There is also a family history and personal connection I have with music and specifically playing vinyls on my record player as it is one of the few things my father and I bond over. He has shared his record collection with me and his knowledge of audio equipment and I share my music with him. Music is a way to share experiences and feelings and that concept is really inspiring when I think about creating art.