I come from a family of bookbinders, scratch bakers, carpenters, and machinists. Not artists in the academic sense, but people that taught me about the craftsmanship, creative problem solving, and the grit that it takes to create something that you in turn share with the world. I carry this lineage with me proudly and my artistic process honors this legacy. My art is a series of personal narratives told through the gestures and arrangements of animals and birds that I have developed an affinity for. The animals depicted are there because, in some way, they have enriched my life. As subject matter, the animals serve a symbolic role, however I also take great care to represent and honor the beauty and spirit of each animal. My work is responsive and reflective regarding memories, experiences, and the natural world. It is ultimately about searching for a deeper understanding of these things and about filling in the holes along the way.