I paint from observation in order to capture a moment—a specificity of light. I return again and again to the same views across seasons and times of day.

My most recent work explores the concept of the window as a metaphor between interiority and the outside world, using architecture as a compositional device to explore space, color, and light. I paint from the interior of my home, where I am intimately familiar with the way light traverses across surfaces—and where I can stage the space around the window. I arrange found objects to suit my compositions and to experiment with the formal and physical possibilities of oil paint. The toile curtains, for instance, feature pastoral scenes that provide an opportunity for drawing with a brush. I admire the way painters like Matisse, or Van Gogh paint a gesture. There’s such a palpable feeling of energy in their mark-making, and I hope to express this kind of energy in my own painting.

Alongside my interior series, I paint plein air. It’s the same kind of meditative looking, but with less control. Time is of the essence and light changes more dramatically. It requires that I pay attention and respond quickly. It is an immersive experience that excites and challenges me as a painter.