everything we experience leaves a mark. Take It In. Sort It Out. embrace What Matters.evolution follows.
Welcome to my open notebook...a collection of what I notice, how I think, what I create, and the ways I evolve. My curiosity takes me down a lot of rabbit holes. I like to keep track of where I’ve been.
Finding “Rhett”
18 Mar, 2026
Expression • Painting • Seeing
Sometimes focusing on getting something perfectly correct does not communicate true essence.
My niece contacted me one evening and said her good friend had lost her beloved dog. She asked if she could commission me to do a small portrait. I usually avoid commissions. The desire to please clients often results in work that’s tight and careful instead of alive. But this was Karlee. She sent me several photos of “Rhett” and described his personality. I started with the sketch. At first, I was doing what I tend to do with commissions. Trying to get everything right. The angles. The likeness. The gestures. That nagging pressure that speaks in a critical tone: Make sure they like it...
More Field Notes
Schrödinger’s Everything
Sharing the finished painting revealed something unexpected: it could be right and wrong at the same time, depending on who was looking.
Scrap It or Save It?
I almost gave up on this “exploration”. And then I stopped trying to save it…
Girls Trip!
Just a fun trip with a close friend who loves to bike, walk, relax, and let the days unfold—curious what creative energy might follow…
Letting Loose
What started as an intimidating request for a large statement painting turned into one of the most freeing studio experiences I’ve had. Working at a scale that demanded looseness led to unexpected breakthroughs—from a glowing dune in late-day light to textured botanicals and abstract studies that reminded me how much I enjoy letting go of control.
Adjusting Perspective
My visit to Hilton Head didn’t change my love for movement and shifting light—but it expanded it. Seeing the island through my friend’s deep sense of belonging pushed my work toward greater abstraction, softer edges, and a more emotional read.