Seduced by the tactile appeal of various materials, I investigate and respond to the medium itself as a place to start, a “way in” to my process of creating. Experimentation with paints, fiber, pastels, and charcoal keeps me returning to the studio with enthusiasm and curiosity. Regardless of which medium I am using, in my head, there is the unspoken question, “What would happen if…”I am also greatly influenced by my environment. When growing up in the Chicago area, I often took the train into the City. One of my favorite stops was the Art Institute of Chicago. Viewing their collections of paintings, sculptures, ancient coins, African masks, textiles and more catalyzed an interest in pursuing my own art. The idea that basic materials could be transformed into beautiful and meaningful objects stayed with me. Today it drives me to give form to my own creative ideas.Greenville, South Carolina, my home since 1990, is rich with cultural offerings. In this place there is a synergy between visual art, music, dance, and theatre in combination with the natural beauty of mountain, wood, and water. Each day I experience an abundance of stimulation that generates ideas and compels me to paint.Complex texture, simple forms and expressive marks shape the direction of my paintings. They are multi-layered with “secret places” for the eye to go and the imagination to be triggered. That which is on the surface and below the surface fascinate me, as well as the push and pull of color to create depth. My work carries a sense of mystery and ambiguity, where reality is momentarily suspended, evoking the viewer’s own feelings and experiences.