STATEMENT

My work explores the social themes that shape everyday life in Appalachia—a region where the warmth and resilience of close-knit communities often exist alongside persistent poverty and hardship. Through visual storytelling, I draw from history, personal experience, family memories, and events I have witnessed to create narratives that reflect how our surroundings influence the way we live, relate to one another, and understand our place in the world.

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My subject matter often begins with a memory, an observed moment, or a piece of family history. From these sources, I construct scenes that speak to both individual experience and a broader sense of community. I am particularly drawn to the distinctive people, places, objects, and traditions of Appalachia, using familiar imagery, symbolism, and color to invite viewers into the story while encouraging them to consider what lies beneath the surface.

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I work exclusively in oil on canvas, building compositions upon traditional structures rooted in art history while exploring varied color palettes to establish mood and emotional tension. Composition and color are integral to the storytelling, helping transform everyday scenes into narratives that carry a deeper emotional and social resonance.

 

Ultimately, my paintings are about place, memory, and the people whose lives give Appalachia its character. Through them, I hope to create a sense of connection—inviting viewers not simply to observe these stories, but to enter them, reflect upon them, and perhaps recognize something of their own experience within them.