The Real Wildflowers of Walnut Creek: Prickly Pear Painting

I am a multi-disciplinary artist based in Austin, Texas. I make work that focuses on environmental issues using sustainable studio practices. I source site specific soils and other natural materials from different areas around Texas and the country to produce my own paint. Through my work,I raise awareness of climate change as a human issue to innovate and protect the resources that we have. I am an autodidact who has also trained in classical and intuitive painting. I strike a balance between the two by creating a structured plan for each work, allowing for freedom for my intuition. I find that systems in nature and science work with a balance of predictable patterns and chaos. This balance between structure and freedom are imperative to my work. The flow of water is a central theme in my work. I mix water and paint and allow it to flow freely within the boundaries of the lines that I have planned. I work with water and soil because I am fascinated with fluid dynamics, and I love letting nature take part in the creation of each piece of work. This aspect of my work mirrors nature in the way that even seemingly chaotic events, such as a waterfall, can evoke a sense of calm and wonder. I hope that the viewer will feel quieted by my work, much as they would if they were sitting in a pristine natural landscape. My work celebrates the peaceful and messy aspects of the natural world, and in doing so, I would like to encourage viewers to celebrate those same aspects in themselves.