I’ve spent over one hundred hours underwater as a scuba diver. Every time, I am struck by the resilience of the ocean. I get inspired by the persistence of nature, constantly building the most complex and beautiful forms, even through the harshest of conditions. I strive to bring the same tireless craftsmanship into my sculptural work.

 

From the unimaginable patterns within cell structures to the complex forms in different species of coral, evolution is the most imaginative artist, from which I forever want to learn. I revel in the opportunity to use materials that can be shaped and molded into extremely organic forms, such as clay, wood, and stone. I explore biomimicry and bioinspiration to invoke the purposeful combination of art and science.

 

Although I love the ocean, I often remove myself from the water and look into the past. Art history is a more recent inspiration of mine. The simplistic yet impactful shapes of prehistoric art and the abstraction of cubism both take residence in my artistic mind.

 

Working with new materials has always been part of my process. When transitioning from concept to reality, the spirit of my work comes from adapting with and learning from the materials themselves. From exploiting the drying process of clay to expanding the bending ability of wood through soaking, I use my work to understand material science while sculpting. 

 

I sculpt because I am simply excited about learning. Using my hands has always been a way to explore–above or below the waterline.