My work is heavily influenced by the immersive cultural experience that I have received from living in Japan. I have branched out to the art form of ikebana to further expand my artistic sensibilities. Studying at the Sogetsu Foundation in Tokyo, I have discovered a truly meditative mindset that is a catalyst for spontaneous creativity. I am enamored by the technical prowess required to create from the organic and the intrinsic connection that I can have with the natural materials. These attributes have paved the way for my current body of work.

 

Ikebana is the Japanese art of flower arrangement in which nature and humanity are brought together in harmony; both the artist and nature work in a partnership to generate a beautiful moment sparked by the arranger’s innate sensibility towards natural materials.  There is a meditative mindset as the artist transfers the creative energy to ikebana; one becomes quiet.  This time allows the artist to live in the moment and to have an appreciation for nature; a simple and sublime moment.  The founder of Sogetsu, Sofu Teshigahara states that “flowers become human in ikebana.”  He believed that the artist would become closer to their work if they connected nature to humanity.  I initially became interested in ikebana after attending a performance in Tokyo by Shuho, the Master of Ikebana at the Ginkaku Jisho-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion) in Kyoto.  Shuho encourages people to consider plants like human beings, living entities with their own individuality and to appreciate their fundamental nature.     

 

Using the philosophy of ikebana, I have conditioned myself to seek a meditative mindset in an effort to transfer this creative energy to many forms of art.  My two-dimensional work represents past ikebana creations that are captured in time to preserve their beauty.  Photography serves as a major tool to record ikebana arrangements.  Although, the beauty of the arrangement is best seen in person, photography allows them to be timeless.  My three-dimensional work represents dried plant material that can be seen as botanical sculpture and/or high relief artwork.  Many of these works are created from discarded material that is given a new purpose.  Whether two dimensional or three dimensional, the essence of my work sheds light on the physical strength, inner strength, and unique beauty that both plants and humans share; the state of harmony.