Artist Statement

As a child, I was trafficked, and after overcoming that darkness, I was drawn to the light in every form - my faith, which sustains me, and the beauty and peace in nature that provides a reminder that miracles really do happen.

My goal now is to depict the light, in its many forms. I do this through paintings inspired by the quiet beauty and changing atmosphere of the Great Lakes, particularly the shores and wetlands of Lake Huron. I am drawn to places where land and water meet—where marsh grasses move in the breeze, reflections dissolve into the surface of the lake, and distant horizons seem to disappear into light.

I paint these places not simply to document the landscape, but to capture how I feel when I am there. Soft light, shifting weather, mist, reflections and subtle changes in color become a way of expressing the stillness, freedom and sense of possibility I experience along the water.

My work has become increasingly impressionistic as I seek to move beyond literal representation. I simplify and soften forms, allowing atmosphere and light to become as important as the physical landscape. I am especially interested in the moments when a familiar shoreline feels almost dreamlike—a fleeting experience that is difficult to photograph, but can be remembered through paint.

The beaches, marshes and waters of Northern Michigan continue to provide an endless source of inspiration. Through my paintings, I hope to invite viewers to slow down, enter that quiet space, and experience their own sense of connection, memory and wonder. And to enjoy the beauty of the light.