I am particularly concerned with the effect humans have on the natural environment, to the extent that many forms of life no longer exist. My 2-D work straddles the line between abstraction and realism. It examines a variety of issues, including urban decay, global issues and the beauty of the world around us – whether in man-made structures or the mysteries of nature.

Much of my work addresses over-consumption in our society, and in particular, the huge amount of recycled paper in domestic recycling bins. My first venture into working with paper on panel began several years ago, and its importance was reinforced in workshops with the American artist, Michael Shemchuk. A six-month residency in Port Coquitlam allowed me to continue this work, taking it in new directions. Over the years I have experimented with single and multiple layers of paper, scraping and sanding back the layers, and exploring various finishes and bonding materials. I plan to continue this process of investigation, with a view to learning what developments will grow from continued work with these non-traditional art materials.

I am also working on a series of artworks based on the plant world, especially plants that have survived and grown in harsh environments. Some are weeds. Others appear in roadside gardens, round-abouts, and in community gardens where plants have become wild. I am also interested in urban art, in particular, human and animal habit, and areas where signs of gentrification are evident. As new developments replace older structures, there is often a tremendous loss in terms of human interaction and the fragmentation of community. It is these areas that I wish to record before they are lost to encroaching re-development.