My background in illustration and graphic design developed a love for composition and color that carried through to my abstract mixed media work. As an illustrator, I created my work by building layers of scanned objects, photographs, drawings and magazine clippings in Photoshop. As a fine artist, my abstract work is created with acrylics, collage and drawing media. Layering still remains key to my process, but with no undo button or the ability to save multiple versions, many of my pieces end up going through huge shifts until the final piece emerges. Working out the colors and composition directly on the canvas allows layers to build up and create a rich history and depth that I could not achieve if I started with sketch, which reflects memories and the unpredictable journey of life. I invite each viewer to make their own connection to my art by recalling a memory or feeling associated with the colors and other design choices in the work.