My Process
About the Work
My Process
I like paintings that reveal themselves slowly — and the process works the same way.
My paintings are built in layers — sometimes dozens of them. I rarely know exactly where a piece is going when I begin. Instead I follow the surface, responding to what's there and what wants to emerge.
I often start with found materials — fragments of vintage books, old maps, handwritten letters, and ephemera collected over years. These get layered onto the surface first, creating a foundation that quietly supports the image that comes later. You may catch a glimpse of them in the finished work, or they may disappear entirely beneath paint and mark-making.
From there I work in acrylic, drawing, and collage — scraping back, carving into the surface, adding and subtracting. The layering process means each painting carries a history beneath it. What remains and what disappears is always a surprise — and that's where the magic happens.
The Layering Technique
Starting with Found Materials
Every painting begins with the surface. I collage fragments of vintage paper, maps, and found text directly onto the canvas or board, building an abstract foundation before any subject emerges.
Building and Revealing
Paint goes on and comes off. I scrape, carve, and edit constantly — revealing layers underneath, adding new ones on top. The image emerges gradually, sometimes surprising even me.
Knowing When to Stop
The hardest part is knowing when a painting is finished. I look for that moment when the surface feels alive — when it has enough tension and enough quiet at the same time.
"What remains and what disappears is always a surprise — and that's where the magic happens."
Behind the Scenes
From the studio at Urban Art Collective · Chamblee, GA
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