I begin each piece by playing, by covering wood panels with paint, marks, and collage. I use acrylic paint because it dries quickly, so I can build on the surface right away. I often work on 3-6 panels at a time, constantly playing, adding and removing–with scrapers, sandpaper, and steel wool–layer after layer. This way of working reveals unexpected shapes and color combinations that I pursue and develop further. 

Through this series of abstract work, I explore my experiences in trapeze, silks, and handstand classes at the Philadelphia School of Circus Arts. I evoke the tension created between my body and the equipment, the exhilaration of standing on the edge of a platform before jumping off, the paradox of holding on and letting go.