I was born in Portland but lived elsewhere up until two years ago when I decided to return to the northwest. I find this to be a wonderful environment for making work and collaborating with other artists.

For me, drawing has always felt like the most natural thing to do, it is such an elemental form of expression. I love getting lost in the process and creating my own world through a series of tedious markings.

The bamboo grain was the immediate source of inspiration for me. Much like tracing the edges of a stain, I used a dipping pen and ink to follow the intricate lines - one mark leading to the next. I wanted my drawings to come about organically and to react to the beauty and simplicity of the preexisting design.