2007

My work presents and explores aspects of our surroundings in ways that are new to me, yet faithful to what exists in nature. Carefully observing natural phenomena reminds me constantly of the limitless complexity and wonder of the world we inhabit. It is an exciting, reciprocal process that continually reinvigorates my own appreciation for what is around me.

The drawings of trees are layered views of the spaces found in between the branches and leaves of specific, individual trees. The views are drawn from different vantage points around the tree, the spaces becoming the positive form of the drawing. In the photographs of European Starling flocks, I have painted connections between the birds to show the entire flock as a faceted geometric shape. The ‘Emblems’ are made from butterfly and moth wings that have been arranged to create new forms.

Most of the non-native butterflies and moths were raised in a local butterfly conservatory and died naturally. A few dead specimens were found over the years by either myself or by friends. All of the trees and flocks that I draw and photograph live in the Connecticut River Valley of Massachusetts and in the Hudson River Valley of New York.