The Evolution of My Artistic Style: From Rustic Roots to Radiant Realms

Early years. Painting "Sirens" 2004.

Every artist’s journey is a living canvas, painted with seasons of change, bursts of inspiration, and strokes of personal growth. My own path through art has been just that, an evolution shaped by texture, emotion, and legacy.

Beginnings in Rustic Expression

When I first began painting, my style was raw and rustic. I wasn’t concerned with polish or perfection; I painted instinctively, allowing the brush to follow emotion over precision. There was a certain messiness to it, an intentional texture that added depth to otherwise abstract designs. My early pieces often carried a sense of motion and grit, inspired by legends like Jackson Pollock, Vincent van Gogh, and Claude Monet. These artists showed me that art could be as much about energy and feeling as it is about form.

The Tree of Life: A Turning Point

The true starting point of my signature style emerged when I created a piece inspired by Gustav Klimt, a tree of life with birds perched in its branches. This painting marked a turning point for me, both stylistically and emotionally. It carried a warmth, a sense of story and structure that hadn’t existed in my more abstract works. That tree would go on to evolve into my iconic “Jeweled Trees” series, known for its swirling branches, bold outlines, and dreamlike quality.

Around this time, I briefly experimented with oils, painting lush garden themes that drew heavily from my childhood and family history. My grandmother, an artist herself, had a profound influence on my love for flora and fauna. Some of my earliest pieces channeled her spirit in pop-art style gardens, bursting with color and life.

"Fancy Cat Garden" 2024

Flowers, Birds, and Bold Lines

As my work progressed, recurring themes began to emerge, particularly flowers and birds. These symbols became more than decorative; they were metaphors for growth, freedom, and resilience. I moved into acrylics, which allowed for brighter colors and more controlled detail. My brushwork became more refined, yet still held onto that expressive quality I never wanted to lose.

From Michigan Forests to West Coast Skies

My years living on the West Coast brought with them a softer, more fluid energy. The landscapes and light of California, Oregon, and Washington began to seep into my work. You can see it in the color palettes I began to choose, cooler tones, soft gradients, and oceanic inspiration paired with the vibrant contrasts of my Midwestern roots.

Returning to Michigan, I carried these influences back with me, merging the earthy, mystical spirit of the Midwest with the open-skied vibrancy of the Pacific. Today, I still find myself straddling both worlds in my art.

From the "Jeweled Trees" series

What Has Changed—and What Hasn’t

Looking back, the biggest change in my work has been intentionality. While my early pieces were about exploration and emotion, my current work is about expression with purpose. I’ve embraced storytelling in my art, weaving together symbolism, memory, and environment into each painting.

But the soul? That hasn’t changed.

My love for nature, my roots in family, and my belief that art can be both joyful and transformative, those are still the core of everything I create.

To Fellow Artists Evolving

To those who feel themselves in the midst of artistic change, know this: Your style is not a fixed identity. It is a living, breathing part of you. Let it grow. Let it wander. Let it come home in its own time.

Your voice as an artist is not defined by a single series or moment, it’s shaped by all the stories you’re brave enough to tell.