Artist Statement

My artworks are reactions to the feelings I have about romantic relationships, domestic life, family, communication and, more recently, the worldwide pandemic, my own autism, and spiritual awakening. While resolving design challenges is an important part of my process, the opportunity to work through my feelings in a way that is tactile is what drives my art making forward.

Often, I use the figure or other shapes (e.g., houses) in an ephemeral way; however, what I intend to communicate is less important to me than making work that resonates with viewers on some level. I have struggled with the same kinds of issues all people do (e.g., fear, depression, loneliness, regret) and hope my work conveys the human condition in a way that is relatable.

For the last ten years, I’ve worked collaboratively with artist Loretta S.W. Barnett to produce several suites of mixed media works on paper; while their meanings are less important than the resolution of the compositions, much of the imagery is similarly charged with the emotions characteristic of my solo work.  I naturally gravitate towards narrative, so the push and pull of what I bring to the table, in this regard, versus what Loretta does has energized and inspired my contributions. Allowing myself to be artistically vulnerable in the way these projects demand has forced me to take risks and tackle design challenges I would have avoided otherwise.

In 2016 and 2017, Loretta and I worked with a third artist, Diane J. Stendahl, to produce two more collaborative suites.

In 2019 I created my drag alter-ego, Miss Byrdie Flip, and began developing her narrative on social media. Byrdie is inspired by television characters Thelma Harper, Dorothy Zbornak, and Blanche Devereaux (with a sprinkle of Sue Ann Nivens).

Group Shows

Art + Design Faculty Exhibition. Davidow Fine Art Gallery. New London, New Hampshire. 2019.

3 Artists, 3 States. Fernando Luis Alvarez Gallery. Stamford, Connecticut. 2017.

Free for All. Space Gallery. Portland, Maine. 2010.

Staff Exhibition. June Fitzpatrick Gallery. Portland, Maine. 2009.