I link the narrative of deep time — a geologic timeline of Earth’s natural history — with contemporary concerns about climate crises. Exploring the intersection of wild and cultivated landscapes, I envision a world where forests are preserved and green spaces are considered essential features of urban life.
In this series, I paint silhouetted shapes inspired by ferns that flourish in old growth forests and the edges of my backyard. Ferns are among the most primitive botanical life forms, having thrived for millions of years by adapting to an ever-changing environment. Old growth forests are unique markers of Earth’s timeline.
By combining painterly brushwork with the graphic quality of hand-cut stencils, I build layers of marks and glazes that result in unique patterns of biomorphic shapes. These shapes suggest fossil fragments, remnants of deep time. As I paint, I imagine how the forest floor might resemble the ocean floor, with currents that overlap above and beneath the surface. I focus my awareness of environmental concerns about sustainability and stewardship, while celebrating the beauty and exuberance of our natural world.
Out To Sea, Fern 325.
Oil, graphite on panel. 24 x 18 in. 2022
Aaron Composes a Symphony, Fern 324.
Oil, graphite on panel, 24 x 18 in. 2023
Golden Delicious Rhapsody, Fern 321.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 60 x 48 in. 2021
Cross Currency, Fern 320.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 60 x 48 in. 2021
Wayfinder, Fern 319.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 60 x 52 in. 2021
Genealogy, Fern 326.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 60 x 48 in. 2021
Timespan, Fern 318 (Lament for Breonna).
Oil, graphite on canvas, 60 x 48 in. 2020
Vital Signs, Fern 313.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 30 x 40 in. 2022
Rain Dance, Fern 279.
Oil, graphite on panel, 24 x 30 in. 2021
Flashpoint, Fern 294.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 24 x 24 in. 2021
Ensorcell, Fern 109.
Oil, graphite on panel, 24 x 24 in. 2020
Time Will Tell, Fern 263.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 48 x 48 in. 2020
Reverie, Fern 312.
Oil, graphite on canvas. 48 x 48 in. 2020
Calliope, Fern 293.
Oil on canvas, 44 x 36 in. 2020
Clamor from the Forest Floor, Fern 314.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 48 x 48 in. 2020
The Pandora Chronicles, Fern 259.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 48 x 48 in. 2019
Aubade (Morning Song), Fern 262.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 48 x 48 in. 2019
Dream Fever, Fern 276.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 44 x 36 in. 2019
A Raft of Daybreak (Whistleblower), Fern 176.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 24 x 30 in. 2020.
Private Collection, St Paul, MN
Clarion Call, Fern 183.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 24 x 30 in 2019
Sound Off, Fern 280.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 24 x 30 in. 2019
We Change Like the Weather, Fern 226.
Oil on canvas, 24 x 36 in 2019
This Time, Fern 269.
Oil on canvas, 36 x 24 in. 2019.
Collection, UCSF Children’s Benioff Hospital, Oakland, CA
Intrepid, Fern 265.
Oil, graphite on panel, 30 x 30 in. 2018
Lighter Than Air, Fern 257.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 24 x 40 in. 2018
Recalibrate Fern.
Oil, graphite on panel, 24 x 24 in. 2019
Before the Clocks Held Time, Fern 268.
Oil, graphite on panel, 30 x 24 in. 2018
Hijinx, Fern 274.
Oil, graphite on panel, 30 x 24 in. 2018
Preamble, Fern 258.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 40 x 24 in. 2018
Collection, Kaiser Permanente, Oakland CA
Smaller Work
I Swear It Happened Just Like This, Fern 172.
Oil on panel, 15 x 15 in. 2024
Moonglow, Fern 322.
Oil on canvas, 12 x 16 in. 2021
We Are Waiting, Fern 327.
Oil, graphite on canvas, 12 x 12 in. 2022
Echo, Fern 315.
Oil on panel, 10 x 8 in. 2022
Heartland, Fern 316.
Oil on panel, 10 x 8 in. 2022
In the Nick of Time, Fern 277.
Oil, graphite on panel, 12 x 12 in. 2022
Hidden Agenda, Fern 323.
Oil on panel, 16 x 16 in. 2022
Orbit, Fern 193.
Oil on panel, 8 x 8 in. 2022
Solstice Redux, Fern 275.
Oil, graphite on panel, 14 x 11 in. 2022
Glorious Notorius, Fern 311.
Oil on panel, 13 x 17 in. 2020
No Doubt About It, Fern 261.
Oil, graphite on panel, 16 x 16 in. 2019
Where I Come From, Fern 167.
Oil on panel, 8 x 8 in. 2019
Private Collection, San Rafael, CA
Abundance, Fern 272.
Oil on panel, 10 x 8 in. 2019
Private Collection, Chicago, IL
Rest Assured, Fern 298.
Oil on panel, 15 x 15 in. 2019
Maverick Melody, Fern 299.
Oil, graphite on panel, 12 x 12 in. 2019
Harmonic Tremors, Fern.
Oil on panel, 10 x 10 in. 2018
Private Collection, Culver City, CA
Out of this World Fern 260.
Oil on panel, 16 x 16 in. 2018
Private Collection, Oakland, CA
Tango Fern 271.
Oil on panel, 10 x 8 in. 2018
Private Collection, Castro Valley, CA
Duet, Fern 288.
Oil on panel, 8 x 8 in. 2018
Private Collection, Tucson, AZ
Ripple Effect, Fern 282.
Oil on panel, 16 x 16 in. 2019
Private Collection, Denver, CO