All in Interviews
“Through my work, I hope viewers reconsider the assumption that toys are simply harmless playthings. By transforming familiar materials, I aim to make the work accessible yet thought-provoking—inviting reflection on the cultural values embedded in objects we often overlook.”
“I developed an understanding of working with wood as a child. Cutting and splitting firewood along with building numerous forts, all these things informed my understanding of wood.”
“Our art explores the aesthetic potential of various materials, and the inherent qualities of these materials drive our creative process.”
“The tactile nature of my process–the feel of materials, the movements, the changing workspaces–feeds me.”
“My work often returns to that adolescent sense of wonder, when the world still felt full of undiscovered places and unlimited potential.”
“I love to explore the physical qualities of paint and ink, like an alchemist experimenting with the elements so I can push their chemical makeup to the outer limits of possibility.”
“Art, for me, is a way of life. It is cathartic, motivating, calming and communicative. It keeps my mind engaged and encourages me to be alert to inspiration.”
“Telling people’s stories sometimes takes more than a flat, 2D photo. Like life itself, it’s okay for art to be a little bumpy, uneven, and brutally honest.”
“When I create, it feels like an act of worship. I’m not just capturing something beautiful—I’m trying to reflect the divine design I see in the world.”
“Most of my art begins with a story in my head. If the story demands surrealism, that’s where I go. If the story demands a different feel, then I head in that direction.”
“I’ve never grown tired of printmaking’s wonderful whole-brained creative challenge of coming up with a good design and then having to successfully go through demanding craftsmanship processes to make that design come alive.”
“Seeing my work displayed among the creative artists here in Arkansas feels like I’m looking at a quilt with my name stitched in one of the squares. We are all woven together by a drive to create.”
“My early photojournalism years were like swimming with a flood of mainstream assignments and commissions – but the margins called me most.”
“For me, painting is a way to celebrate the beauty of the Earth, honoring the places I’ve been, the landscapes I’ve explored, and the experiences that have left a lasting impression.”
“The research I get to perform around the subjects of my vessels is honestly as exciting as the thrill I get from making them.”
“I find it inspiring and exciting to continue to learn and challenge myself. An artist is never through exploring and learning.”
“By using local rocks and minerals, harvested by my own hand or the hands of my fellow Arkansans, I make my work inherently connected to the land and its people.”
“I think that the approach to the creative process that works best for me is one that allows the image to become what it wants to be.”
“I have a lot of fun with my art practice. My humor and light heartedness flow into my creativity and community engagement, which circulate back into my purpose, intention, and thoroughness as a practicing artist.”
“My work is always based on moments of lived experience. A lot of how I choose what I paint is just by slowing down and thinking about a moment or a sensation I want to zoom in on.”
