Hiking through woodlands and prairies brings joy and sparks my curiosity. Ethically foraging materials and transforming them into inks deepens my connection with nature. Imagery is inspired by clusters of leaves, textures of bark, and reflections on water. I embrace ephemeral moments with the changing seasons. Rather than making representational work, I capture the fleeting essence of my inspiration.

Blood Root (Sanguinaria canadensis) is an ephemeral plant that appears in woodlands before leaves set on trees in spring. The roots contain an orange pigment. Habitat for this native plant is quickly disappearing. Please don’t harvest this plant from wild areas. I harvested a small sample of the root from nursery grown stock to create this pigment.

Black Walnut (Juglans nigra) a quintessential American tree beloved for its wood and nuts. Commonly found throughout Missouri. Green fruits fall in late summer full of ink-making tannins.

"Bloodroot and Black Walnut 01", 2024
6”x6” ink painting on archival paper.