I’ve always been someone who wants to learn how to make things. I work in painting, ceramics, metal, fiber, illustration and sculpture, and being multidisciplinary has always been part of who I am as an artist. I’m constantly learning something new. Some things stick, some don’t, but everything I try eventually becomes part of the language I use to make art.

Nature is the thread that continually runs through my work. Living in Downeast Maine, it’s hard not to be inspired by both the natural world and the creative community around me. There are wildly talented people here who simply keep practicing and refining what they do, whether or not anyone is watching. It’s a great place to make work, learn from other people and, as I like to say, “kill your ego.”

I sometimes call myself a “Professional Weirdo,” because I want people to feel that art doesn’t have to be intimidating or inaccessible. I don’t expect everyone who sees my work to want to buy it. I hope they enjoy it, become curious about it, or maybe feel inspired to make something themselves. Creativity can take so many forms, and especially during uncertain times, I think having a creative outlet can be an incredible refuge.

Being part of the arts community in Downeast Maine has become an important part of my own story. I’ve been involved with the Machias Arts Council since its early days, when meetings could fit into Tim’s living room, and it has been wonderful to watch the creative community continue to grow. What matters most to me is seeing artists and creative people make connections, support one another and create more opportunities for art to be part of everyday life here.