I photograph objects against a black velvet background and use digital software to take them apart and reassemble them, often combining several different photographs. This process of reconstruction and layering allows me to reimagine my subjects and remove them from their everyday environment.

In recent years, I have been particularly captivated by the life cycle of plants. Their transitions from growth to decay are not only beautiful, but also mirror states of mind, emotions, and even relationships in my life.

While rooted in my own exploration, I design my work to remain open, like a dream, leaving space for multiple interpretations. Through it, I hope to evoke a sense of beauty whose meaning is not fixed. Real meaning emerges in the space between image and viewer, shifting as each person brings their own perspective.

As a quick bio:

I grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, often occupied by drawing and painting. School field trips to the Minneapolis Institute of Art introduced me to the work of the Post-Impressionists. My heart still races when I see Van Gogh’s Olive Trees or Bonnard’s Dining Room in the Country. Later, discovering photographers like Diane Arbus and Duane Michals inspired me to embrace photography as an expressive medium.

I hold a BA in painting and an MFA in photography, both from UW-Madison.