"I believe that great art is not only visually compelling but that it should also have a subject matter, a meaning, and a purpose in addition to the aesthetic function.  This is the point of grounding for my art practice.  The driving motivator to my artistic process is my passion for exploration and learning. Through my art practice I have taken on various roles such as sociologist, mountain climber, investigator/researcher, environmental activist, and a multitude of other roles to explore the world. I use my art production to share my discoveries, insights and views developed in the process of exploration and learning. Because I am innately curious I explore a variety of subjects in my artwork but my work as a whole is united by my aesthetic approach and my values.  I believe in personal accountability in regards to the human relationship to the natural world and I believe in giving respect to people and planet.  As an artist who uses lens based imaging, my aesthetic is one of crafting an image rather than taking a photograph.  I manipulate the indexical nature of lens based imaging to construct a metaphor, idea or expression in my work.  I am drawn to photography as a primary medium although I do not define myself as strictly a photographer.  I use a variety of methods to create my artworks including costuming, staging, mixed media, historic photography processes, photo montage, and incorporation of video, and audio."