My work investigates identity and culture and the way cultures intersect and interact. I am especially interested in what I call visual markers. Visual markers refer to the variety of ways that a group of people identify and distinguish themselves. Within a social group, these markers are used to aid in social functions, boundaries, education and ritual. To those outside the group these markers can be quite alien and evoke fear, wonder or curiosity. I am interested in how visual markers can move from an originating group to another, retain the power of the visceral response, and yet transform in meaning and interpretation.

I explore these ideas in both macro and microcosms. Listening to family stories and documenting them has inspired me to research these ideas on a much more intimate level. Whether my focus is on peoples and history in the southern United States or the migration of Africans to Europe the reoccurring theme is the evolution of culture and society.

My ongoing series of Southern Portraits which started with 18 x 14" graphite drawings on claybord is now including medium and life-size portraits in oil on canvas. I am honored that the first 22 graphite drawings from this series are now in the permanent collection at the Masur Museum in Monore, LA where the idea for the series began.