Born in America, my childhood took an unexpected turn when my parents' work with a charity supporting vulnerable young people led our family to Germany. Those early years, marked by frequent moves across Europe as their dedication took us to Scotland and eventually England, were formative. Amidst the shifting landscapes and temporary accommodations, art and faith became my constant. I vividly recall quiet moments, sitting on the floor of our latest home, absorbed in the creation of a drawing – a lion, perhaps – finding a sense of peace and stability in the act of making.
This innate drive to create continued to grow. Later, my studies in Biblical counselling brought a new layer of depth to my artistic practice. The images I began to create took on a richer, more symbolic meaning. I found myself particularly drawn to painting trees. For me, they became a powerful metaphor for understanding the inner workings of the human heart. The intricate root systems mirrored the way our past wounds connect to our present actions, while the external pressures of life – the heat and the storms – seemed to draw out both the struggles and the strengths in our behaviours and beliefs. Observing trees in their diverse environments became a way for me to reflect on my own journey, offering a space for deeper understanding and, ultimately, lasting peace and transformation.
The fluid and often unpredictable nature of watercolours and inks deeply resonates with me. These mediums capture the untameable essence of the natural world, and in working with them, I find a sense of release, a letting go of the need for rigid control. My intention is never to perfectly replicate nature through brush and pen, but rather to study its character and, in doing so, reflect something of the character of its Creator.
