Life is about the balance between chaos and order.

When I am starting a new artwork, I find it is better to just let my subconscious do the work. I have found sumi ink and a variety of brushes to be a useful way of getting something started. I don’t particularly focus on any one thing, or really even think about anything in the moment of creating - not at first, anyway. I just dip the brush in the ink, and take it directly to the paper. With the first stroke, I have something to respond to and have a conversation with. Sometimes, I only make one brush stroke. Sometimes, I make many. It is important that I do not view this initial result as good, bad, right, wrong, or anything of the sort. It is simply something to engage with; my response to it can be with further brushstrokes, or perhaps color, or markers, drips, splashes, etc.

My next step is to consider what I have started, and become more thoughtful in the process. I introduce intentional structure, balancing chaos with order—a reflection of our own experiences. Each piece narrates a journey through diverse thoughts and feelings. Discover the stories in every brushstroke, engaging in a moment of meditation that resonates emotionally. I begin to shape the piece, add elements to the composition, and respond to happy accidents.

I am discovering that the things I think about most, somehow find their way into the work. Sometimes, I don’t see it until after I feel like the work is done. Currently, I am thinking about the pathways I’m taking in life and am exploring that process in my art. Several of my current pieces reflect this through images that could be perceived as roads or paths going in all different directions.

The essence of life—its vibrant energy, brutal difficulties, and rich narratives—infuses every stroke. Life shapes my art, elevating the ordinary to the extraordinary. Embrace chaos, find solace in order, and let the art speak beyond words.