I’m holding my wedding bouquet which fell apart after the honeymoon, and my white dress spread out into a puddle on the floor. The images are put together to make the interior contain the exterior world, as there is not much difference between what happens inside our hearts because of our environments and the people in them.

I am myself twice in one red dress. I began a new stage in my life, by getting engaged a few weeks before my sister committed suicide. So, I painted, and painted about her, but now it's about me even if the painting brings up me, her or both of us.

Love, Life, and Growth. The tight space allows for an interpretation of closeness, or sticking together. A young couple trusts each other.

Wedding dancers in North Haven, an island near Rockland, Maine. Celebrating young love.

Standing on a carpet and trying on dresses for the special upcoming occasion while my husband gives his opinion.

Wishes and losses are continuing themes in my work. The large orange spot on the upper left is alludes to a photo of my sister, all covered up. The painting on the right shows my older brother, also lost at a young age. I'm in my room looking at a flower. My process is intuitive and I start with a few marks, in this case the bed and dresser. Rough and unfinished is the overall effect, even though I want more precision, but that only happens with bigger paintings. I make them quickly and I try to keep a new composition for each painting as variety keeps me interested.

Based on a trip to Johns Hopkins hospital in Baltimore, MD a few years ago, I painted the trepidation and sadness I feel when I think of how pervasive my mental illness has touched every part of my life--even having breakfast in the hotel courtyard I hear voices. Looking back I can't remember what they say. Now, I'm conquering them.

John's Shadow Self
2025
acrylic on canvas
18" x 24"
I'm interested in more complex compositions that show relationship between people and environment. I want the viewer to take a second look and feel something. While I was painting the shoulder by using just one line, I remembered my shoulder was pulled out of socket in high school. I hadn't thought about it for a long time, but it came back to me just as I painted the line.

I interpreted a classic subject of a couple about to kiss only with eyes open, cautious.