Artist Statement

My wildlife shadowboxes grew from the same impulse that sends me into Pennsylvania’s forests with binoculars in one hand and a sketchbook in the other: the urge to look closer. I am drawn to overlooked details—the textures of bark, the persistence of moss, and signs of life tucked into small spaces. Each piece began with a fragment of bark shed by the trees in my backyard—one heart-shaped and riddled with holes, the other covered in moss.

Northern Saw-Whet Owl with Sculpted Pinewood Gingertail Fungi features Pennsylvania’s smallest owl perched within bark, honoring the work of researchers and licensed banders at the Ned Smith Center who study their migration. Both works exist at the intersection of science and wonder, shaped by a deep commitment to conservation. Pennsylvania’s state parks are not just scenic spaces; they are protected ecosystems. By working with found natural materials and studying the species that inhabit these environments, I aim to honor that stewardship. I paint what I observe, sculpt what I study, and frame it all in materials the forest provides—always mindful to take only what is appropriate and leave the landscape intact.

My hope is that viewers leave with a heightened sense of curiosity and a deeper appreciation for the fragile, intricate systems preserved in places like Pennsylvania’s state parks. If these pieces encourage someone to look more closely—or to step onto a trail with new attention—then they have done their work.