I situate my practice in the rural New England landscapes I grew up in. The trail systems that surround my hometown sweep through shaded woods, cut across hillsides, and ramble through open meadows. I know the contours of the mountains they cover and where each route bends around boulders and ducks under sprawling tree roots.The aesthetic and atmospheric quality of New England ecosystems – the forests in particular – influence both the visual language of my work and its subject matter.
I make illustrated narratives and artist’s books that focus on the quiet moments and movements shared by humans, animals, plants, and natural phenomena. I distill stories and represent complex relationships in simplified and sometimes seemingly magical forms. Values such as practicality, simplicity, sustainability, and appreciation for local landscape have given me a greater context for noticing the little movements, unlikely companionships, and patterns that occur in the landscapes around me.
I aim to be a designer, illustrator, and storyteller who can play a role in communicating the importance and impact of spending time in wild and remote places responsibly and respectfully. My illustrations, books, and other printed media are usually small in size and subtle in color palette; their physical forms allow for greater personal connection. They are meant to be handled. My work should be experienced quietly and up close. It can, and should, be held, felt, and taken in gently.
