Welcome

I have a strong connection to the East Nashville neighborhood. My grandfather grew up on Russell Street in the 1940's. I grew up here--going to the East Nashville YMCA and the East Branch Library, and attending Dan Mills and Jere Baxter Elementary Schools. Eight years ago, after graduating from Parsons School of Art, I returned to the neighborhood and realized I was truly home.

I enjoy walking through the neighborhoods--especially at night when the city lights come up and cast their shadows on the old buildings. There is a tremendous beauty in city life--the shape of the buildings, the interplay of light, the massive night sky, and the persistence of nature amid concrete and glass. Painting these cityscapes is my attempt to honor a unique sense of place somewhere between a big city and a sleepy town.

Over the years, depicting my neighborhood as realistically as possible has become less important. Instead I let my mind play with the colors and shapes, hopefully, leaving something to each viewer’s own interpretation. Being able to play and even allow mistakes makes the art-making process more interesting and enjoyable for me. This freedom in creative endeavors keeps me coming back to the canvas, day after day.