As inspiration for my art, I am continually drawn to the natural world. Memories and dreams of places that have had meaning for me motivate me. Focusing on intimate views of nature frequently have more meaning for me than grand vistas. Venturing into my garden or into the country provides close-up views of the endless beauty of natural forms, colors, and shapes. The natural world is constantly changing and creatively recomposing itself. It is a testimony to the individual vision that each person creates a personal vision of that world. The similar yet unique elements can be reinvented in new ways. I believe as artists we can never come close to duplicating the exquisite beauty that is already there, but we can interpret using our own personal vision. Then the dialog that is there between nature and man's interpretation of nature becomes a constantly changing and growing relationship always giving energy back to us as spiritual manna.

In the show "Spaces," my monotypes were influenced by a recent trip to Italy. I found myself going down alleys searching through passageways. The spaces between narrowly placed buildings were frequently empty. The light doesn't get into the walkways easily and when it does, it creates a sense of isolation and melancholy heightened by the aged architecture. The light kept creating a magnetic pull for me, making me want go through these spaces, yet not wanting to at the same time. I keep exploring images with that feeling whether the opening is a path, an arched doorway or a sense of a place to moue to. Many of the images are monochromatic due to the mood I am representing.

The art exhibit "Spaces" included other mixed media prints, collographs and chine colle' prints. Many of these are saturated with color, creating a lighter more whimsical mood than the monotypes. After all, artists explore different moods in their varied visual journeys. 

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