I came to painting from an unusual path—after studying sculpture at Grand Valley State and spending years crafting high-end dental restorations, I picked up oil painting out of a desire to make something grounded and lasting. It quickly became a way to connect with the world more honestly.

In school, I was immersed in the postmodern mindset: art as theory, irony, and commentary. Over time, that started to feel more like avoidance than expression—more cleverness than substance. I wanted something else—something with roots.

Landscape painting gave me that. I’m drawn to its quiet discipline and its long, steady lineage. I’m not trying to reinvent it; I’m just trying to take part, even in a small way—maybe inch it forward. I paint to create a sense of distance and stillness, like the view at the end of a long hike. Something that invites you to pause, look out, and feel the scale of things.