My work is varied but centers around sculpture and form-building, turning important ecological problems into tangible, three-dimensional pieces. Creating this way allows my subjects to feel alive, creating a physical presence that invites viewers to reflect more deeply. Tactility is fundamental to my practice, as working directly with the material through hand-building establishes a grounding experience that I don’t feel with drawing or painting. I sometimes incorporate discarded, upcycled materials into my pieces to reinforce my commitment to mindful practice. By blending sustainable ideals with sculptural techniques, I aim to balance serious environmental issues with an ever-growing celebration of the natural world.
I am driven by a deep kinship with non-human life. My work explores the balance of our ecosystems and the threats they face, including habitat loss, climate change, plastic waste, and industrial disasters such as oil spills. Canines, particularly wolves, coyotes, and domestic dogs, are often seen in my work. Wolves and coyotes are often misunderstood and vilified, which is proof of humans’ abstracted relationship with nature. By pairing them with depictions of native flora and untouched landscapes, I highlight the vital habitats necessary for animal survival and the ecological dead zones created by rapid urbanization. Through both depictions of environmental vulnerability and more lighthearted portrayals of wildlife, I strive to evoke empathy and inspire a shared responsibility to preserve our planet.
My process begins with research into specific environmental problems and their local impacts on biodiversity. Once I understand the relationship between a species and its ecological struggle, I will create a mockup of the piece that conveys narrative tension. To embody the principle of taking away more impact than I produce, I frequently build my armatures and substructures from reclaimed materials such as cardboard, toilet paper rolls, aluminum takeaway trays, and more. Incorporating found trash into my pieces brings the sculpture into the reality of any economic crisis, transforming waste into a catalyst for awareness.
Ultimately, I’d like to use my knowledge from my farm work, volunteer work, and studies to help educate the public through my pieces. While I believe the visual impact of sculpture should speak for itself, my greater mission is to spark actionable change. By revealing tangible consequences of human consumption and overdevelopment, I hope to encourage viewers to reevaluate their everyday choices, advocate for native ecosystems, and foster a more harmonious future for all living things.