Why do “mixed media” art? Sometimes, I wish I could focus on one medium, but my interests are too diverse. After spending a decade in construction, my mother was watching me paint a room once. She said, “Everything you do looks like art; you look like you’re in a ballet painting this room.” Truly, a mother looking through rose-colored glasses. Nonetheless, I believe that “life is art,” and people in various professions create masterpieces in their own ways, which is why I incorporate multiple mediums into my work.
In Northern Ireland, my grandfather collected items washed ashore during WWII and transformed them into craftwork, inspiring my own practice of revitalizing forgotten objects. I bring my father and grandfather and their construction arts into my work.
My mother and father kept goats, chickens, ducks, and rabbits when we were young. My mother lived in a beautiful “circle of life” way. We used manure and eggs from our animals to fertilize the vegetables, fruits, and herbs in our garden. We shared the bountiful fruits of our labor with our animal family members, the goat’s beards tickling our fingers as we fed them carrots, the chickens clucking and jumping to get dinner scraps, and the rabbit noses twitching in anticipation of nibbling on aromatic herbs. Everyone helped, and everyone was gifted in return. I bring my mother and her love of the earth, moon, stars, and plants into my art.
In my art, you won’t find a single method mastered over decades but rather a collection from a “jack of many trades.” Each piece reflects deep emotions—grief, joy, love, and yearning. I hope you find something that resonates with you, providing comfort or a way to express feelings for others. Remember, WE’RE ALL ARTISTS. Recognize the art in your daily life and the world around you. Contact me if you’d like to work together on a commission, or better yet, go out and create your own!