ARTIST STATEMENT

My art celebrates my fascination with the jazz scenes of Kansas City, New
York, and Paris during the 1920’s through the 1940’s. The spirit of jazz
music, ranging from somber to spirited, is expressed through my visions of
everyday jazz musicians and individuals; revealing personal reflections,
character, and whimsy.

Through my paintings, I hope to capture the inclusive quality that jazz
music promoted. Historically, jazz integrated women and men from across
cultural and ethnic backgrounds; uniting them through a common appreciation
of the music and spirit of the times. My art communicates my love of the
music, while aspiring to continue this legacy of transcending cultural and
racial divides.

PROCESS

My images further express my interest in the aesthetics of this era through
my use of rich color, ink detail, art deco references, and texture. I begin
my paintings with India ink drawings on prepared board. I then add texture
and glazes of oil paint to build rich layers of color and detail. Most of
my paintings are surrounded by a drawn and painted border, reflecting
patterns within the overall image.