Artist’s Statement:

Raised with the spiritual teachings of my Native American ancestors, I developed a deep reverence for nature and our interconnectedness with all living things. In this body of work, I capture the landscapes and plants of the Appalachian Mountains where I grew up. These are not merely depictions of familiar scenery but an exploration of memory, as my childhood home in the Rich Mountain Wilderness is for sale after difficult changes in my family. The work chronicles my emotional journey of letting go of a place that is so foundational to my identity—a sacred base tucked into enchanting forests that I’ve returned to for solace during difficult times throughout my adult life.

The artwork blends realistic detail with impressionistic rendering and fantastical colors, speaking to the idea of childlike perception and remembering the magic I felt there. It explores how memory works—the way certain details remain crystalline while others blur and fade. One artwork is left with raw, unraveling edges, acknowledging that these memories and emotions will continue to deteriorate and transform over time.

I find this exploration of childlike perception juxtaposed with adult understanding to be a powerful tension that we all carry in some capacity. Through this work, I invite viewers into that tension, to witness the beauty and grief of honoring the landscape of the past while also mapping the emotional terrain of healing and transition. While rooted in personal memory and loss, these paintings also stand in celebration of the Appalachian landscape itself—the wildflowers, trees, and streams that continue to inspire.