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Artist Statement

Growing up in the small military town of Beaufort, South Carolina, I developed an early fascination with the quiet, intricate details of the natural world. I spent much of my childhood outside in my grandparents’, my grandmother’s, and my mom’s gardens. Observing insects, plants, flowers, trees, and the subtle patterns that reveal themselves only through close attention.

This early curiosity shaped both my artistic and academic path, ultimately leading me to pursue a Bachelor of Arts from the College of Charleston and a Master of Fine Arts from the Savannah College of Art and Design. Today, as both a practicing artist and an art educator, I am committed to creating work that inspires observation, curiosity, and a deeper connection to the environment.

I am currently teaching at a Middle school here in Greensboro as well as teaching classes at the Center for Visual Arts and occasionally at Reconsidered Goods. My artistic practice centers on the small and often overlooked species that sustain local ecosystems. Since moving to Greensboro over ten years ago, I am fascinated by the diverse and slightly different insects here than what I grew up with. I am especially drawn to North Carolina’s native pollinators—bees, butterflies, moths, caterpillars, ladybugs, and other essential insects whose roles are vital yet frequently unnoticed.

These creatures support plant life, biodiversity, and the overall health of the region, and their quiet importance resonates deeply with me. Creating my current exhibition of work has helped me learn more about the pollinators, what plants I can plant in my gardens to help support them, and has made me want to learn more about supporting them by going to our local events by the Greensboro Goes Green or the NC Cooperative Extension. For example, these events taught me that by keeping the leaves where they were in my yard, it helps insects stay fed, safe, and warm. I saw my first Luna Moth chrysalis this year because of that because it looks just like a leaf. I planted native milkweed this year and helped the monarch butterflies. I had about twenty or so Monarch caterpillars feeding off them.

By combining influences from scientific illustration, natural history, and contemporary environmental art, my work seeks to honor their beauty while emphasizing their ecological significance. Through close observation, detailed rendering, and a focus on transformation and life cycles, I aim to highlight the resilience and fragility of these species. My goal is to invite viewers to slow down, look closely, and rediscover the extraordinary within the ordinary. To maybe learn more about them, plant native plants in their gardens, stop using pesticides and to support local gardens and farms. Whether in the classroom or the studio, I strive to share a sense of wonder for the natural world and encourage a greater understanding of the ecosystems that surround us.

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