Another huge influence and repeated reference in my work is water. I grew up only a few blocks from the ocean as did my parents and my grandparents before them. The ocean is such an enormous part of my growing up that I consider it to be an extension of my family. Coastal traditions and imagery are a huge part of who I am. Therefore, water symbols are very often represented in my art. Not only is the ocean a place to clear my head and feel at peace, it also offers an inspiring source of color palettes. The trifecta of sky, water, and sand make for endless combinations of ideas for color, texture, and lines. The physical properties of water are also very important to me and manifest themselves through materials and mark making. I appreciate the basic nature of water -- fluid and reflective -- qualities that I strive to achieve in my work. The ocean is in constant flux...At times extremely rough and others still as glass. What is certain is that it is perpetually changing and is like life in this sense. The one constant is change...