Holly Springs, NC
My work emerges from a deep compulsion to explore the space between dreams and reality—where the seen and the unseen, the real and the remembered, collapse into one. I am driven by the mysteries of the human psyche, by ancient myths, poetic symbolism, and the subconscious rhythms that govern us beneath the surface. My paintings are not merely images; they are metaphors, visual narratives suspended in time and emotion.
Influenced by the European surrealist tradition and Russian mysticism, my process begins intuitively. I rarely approach the canvas with a fixed plan. Instead, I allow forms to emerge organically—figures, masks, musical instruments, and theatrical scenes—layered with meaning, yet resisting singular interpretation. Color and texture become language, conveying mood as much as form. I often use muted palettes, gold leaf, and cracked surfaces to create a sense of timelessness, as though the viewer is discovering something ancient or half-remembered.
One example is "Cat's Cradle", a piece included in my portfolio. Here, the central figure—dressed in the fragmented costume of a harlequin—floats through a world that defies gravity and logic. Around him, doors open to nowhere, moons reflect faces, and musical notes drift like leaves. This work is both a celebration and a lament: a representation of the duality of the performer, the artist, the human being who must wear a mask to survive, yet longs to be seen. The harlequin, a recurring figure in my work, is both an archetype and a personal symbol—an embodiment of vulnerability behind performance.