“I paint immersive natural environments, interrupted by animals, plants, or pop culture icons that are ripped from their original context. Looking at these visually pleasing compositions invites further questions about why these subjects are being consumed in the same glance.

This idea is emphasized with the abrupt positioning of subjects that don't fit with the surrounding. For example, in "Ocean Birdscape: California Condor," condors are positioned in the middle of an underwater scene, next to images of an imposing church and inviting waterlilies that creep towards a school of fish. Additionally, in "Garfield - Frolic in the Woods," a glitchy Garfield is floating in front of a cold mountain landscape, next to the omnipresent gaze of a ghostly fish. These scenes don't make sense when consuming nature in the real world, but do they in the blurred landscape of the internet? How does this affect our attitude towards nature?

While creating these composition, I have been extremely aware of the impending doom of climate change and other future uncertainties. In this context, appreciating nature in its original context is more important than ever. I aim to emphasize the beauty of natural subjects by centering them in my compositions. Ripping subjects from their contexts prompts questions about how we consume nature in a sterile, cleansed way. The internet provides access to nature for millions of people, but is complexity and fragility in the face of climate change communicated enough?”

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