Inside the Process: How the Work is Made

Preparation

Every painting begins long before I pick up a brush.

It starts with travel and paying close attention to a place. I spend time walking, observing, and taking notes about what I experience. I notice the way the light changes throughout the day, the colors of the landscape, the sounds of the streets, the textures of the buildings, and the feeling a place leaves behind. I also learn about the history, culture, and natural environment of each location. Understanding how people and landscapes have shaped one another helps me see beyond the surface. These experiences become the foundation for every painting.

Reflection

After returning home, I spend time reflecting before I begin painting. Rather than making detailed sketches, I let the experience settle. I write about the journey, think about the colors and textures that stayed with me, and consider the emotions I want the painting to hold. For me, this quiet time is just as important as painting itself. It allows the work to develop naturally instead of forcing an idea too soon.

Finding Direction

Eventually, the painting begins to take shape in my mind. I gain a sense of its movement, color palette, scale, and overall feeling. I rarely know exactly how the finished piece will look. Instead, I begin with a clear direction and allow the painting to evolve as I work. I believe creativity is a gift from God, and I try to approach each painting with openness, trusting the process rather than controlling every outcome.

Creating the Painting

My paintings are built layer by layer on birch wood panels using professional acrylic paints, with oil paint added when a piece calls for additional depth. Many of the layers are covered as the painting develops. Like memories or landscapes shaped over time, not everything remains visible. Each new layer adds depth and history to the surface. The maps become part of this process. Roads, coastlines, rivers, and landforms gradually disappear beneath texture and color until they become something more than geography. They become memories of a place. Rather than copying a landscape exactly, I use color to express its atmosphere. The palette is inspired by the land itself, from mineral-rich soil and changing skies to water, vegetation, and light.

Stepping Back

One of the most important parts of my process is knowing when to pause. I often leave a painting for days before returning with fresh eyes. This distance helps me see what the work needs and what it is already saying. A painting is finished not when every detail is perfect, but when it feels complete. My hope is that each piece carries the spirit of a place and invites others to reflect on the landscapes that have shaped their own lives. Every painting is ultimately a record of experience. It is not meant to recreate a destination exactly as it appeared, but to preserve how it felt to be there.