I am a practicing artist working with traditional and digital mediums. I have been a painter for all of my adult life and I am self-taught...In 2008, I decided to return to the intellectual realms of higher education in order to pursue a Masters degree in art therapy. I am currently attending Reed College and I look forward to graduating in 2013.
The Battle Between You and Me
2001
original acrylic on canvas paper
scanned and digitally retouched in Photoshop CS3
Most of my art comes from the back of my mind and a good part of it has been born out of difficult times in my life. I discovered many years ago that I have the ability to put myself in a deep meditative state and tap directly into the unconscious depths of my mind. I have always felt that my drawings and paintings are little stories (much like dreams) written in a highly symbolic language that sometimes defies understanding. My studies of Carl Jung have helped me to expand my ideas of symbolism and has introduced me to the concepts of the collective unconscious and archetypal images. All of these thoughts have led me to see the universality of our existence and the great connection that we all have.
Shadowboxing
1999
original ink on paper
scanned and digitally retouched in Photoshop CS3
For many years I have enjoyed a close relationship with my unconscious and the result has been not only fruitful but personally revealing as well. Nearly all of my images are archetypal in nature containing a collective symbolic meaning that transcends time - this especially refers to my mandalas and magic circles.
Ling Ling's Magic Circle
2005
Photoshop CS3
Contemplation of these archetypes creates a state of introspective reflection that has been and continues to be helpful in my personal process of becoming more of who I already am. In particular, my art has been of great help to me during times of tremendous hardship in my past. My life has truly been a transformation every step of the way and the act of creation has been one of the catalysts for my self-awakening.
Treading the Waters of Lunacy
2005
original acrylic on paper
scanned and digitally retouched in Photoshop CS3
My body of artwork is a personal record of individuation, psychic counter-balancing, shadow aspects, and anima / animus interactions. Mandala work, above all, has been a constant throughout my life. I began creating mandalas as spontaneous manifestations in early sketches, but I now use mandala work consciously as a tool to initiate my journey inward to a place that I call the "zone" where my thoughts wander freely to and fro and time has no meaning...
Bird's Eye View
2005
Photoshop CS3
