Dreaming

drifting                        

|2025, acrylic on canvas, 8 x 8in.|

The first piece in this series explores the visual phenomenon of hypnagogic hallucinations—fleeting, often unnoticed visions that appear in the space between wakefulness and sleep. These images, characterized by swirling forms, rapid flashes of light, and shifting patterns, represent the entry point into the subconscious sleep. 

Beginning with a black canvas, I used stark white patterning to anchor the composition, with vivid, high-contrast accents to evoke the sudden brilliance of these visual bursts. The use of acrylic paint, with its ability to lay flat and support precision, allowed me to capture these moments with detail and clarity. Each line and color choice aims to evoke these phenomena as they momentarily flicker behind closed eyes.

light flower                         

                          

|2025, lumen print|

In this work, I turn to lumen printing—a camera-less photographic technique—to evoke the delicate, dreamlike essence of impermanence. Flowers, placed in direct contact with light-sensitive photo paper, leave behind impressions that echo the fleeting nature of a dream. In this technique, the image begins to fade almost as soon as it emerges. I intervened in a transitional moment, capturing the print with a digital photograph. The image feels translucent and deep, capturing the dream-like moment when the mind tries to hold onto something that’s already slipping away.

clarity                                   

|2025, acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20in.|

In contrast to the more detailed, energetic works in this series, this piece embraces softness and stillness. Beginning with a white canvas, I layered pale acrylic paints in soft tones—a blend of warm and cool neutrals—creating a gentle foundation for fluid movement. Sweeping brush strokes soften the edges, with imagery that feels more quiet and meditative. White stars add a touch of luminosity, suggesting moments of clarity within calm. This painting seeks to reflect the way dreams often flow—with one scene blending seamlessly into the next, and a continual evolution of emotion.

dreamscape                       

|2025, photography, 8 x 8in.|

In this piece, I explore the boundary between reality and imagination, drawing inspiration from the way dreams often blur the two. A black and white photograph of a horse anchors the work, while layered atop this image is the impression of a vibrant lumen with translucent hues of orange, purple, blue, and pink. This image invites the surreal quality of dreams as a counterpoint to the grounded, natural imagery beneath. Both the photograph and the lumen print reflect elements of nature, yet they represent different dimensions: one rooted in reality, the other suspended in fantasy.

little deer                          

|2025, acrylic on found object, 9 x 9in.|

This piece began with a found object—a surface ready for transformation. It is inspired by the sunset hues, the beauty of Pennsylvania’s landscape, and my fascination with the little wild deer that roam there.  Using acrylic paints and a fine brush, I filled the space with vibrant colors, intricate details, and mystical elements.  Rather than confine the imagery within the traditional frame, I expanded the painting to its very edges, reflecting the boundless nature of dreams and their ability to stretch beyond the limits of reality. 

Linda                          

|2025, photography|

This photograph depicts a girl asleep in broad daylight, exploring themes of nature, dreams, and wonder. Peaceful sleep contrasts with the brightness of day, inviting viewers to a space where dreams take us away from the comfort of our own beds. This idea is reflected in the subject’s serene yet slightly conflicted expression. By photographing her up close, I aimed to convey the intimate, deeply personal nature of dreaming. I softened and enhanced the colors, light, and shadows to evoke a more dream-like atmosphere, while blurring the lines of reality.

reach                 

|2025, acrylic on canvas, 16 x 20 in.|

This piece explores the personal nature of dreaming, often experienced through a first-person perspective. Using acrylic paint, I depicted two hands reaching toward the clouds, a common desire to “reach for the sky” in one’s dreams or goals. The hands have minimal detail, reflecting the undefined quality in dreams.  The monochromatic use of pink reflects simplicity and softness evoking a sense of calm, warmth, and wonder. Through minimalism in both form and color, the work invites viewers to enter a space that feels both deeply personal while also surreal.

September 2003                       

|2025, personal archival project - photography|

This piece draws from a deeply personal archive—my mother’s journal, where she recorded moments from my childhood. Nearly every entry mentions my love for art and creating. One entry described a ritual we shared when I was just 3 years old. Each night, we would color my "dream" before bed—rainbows, hearts, flowers, and vibrant colors.

While finishing this portfolio, I happened to be back at my childhood home and I looked at this journal for the first time. I was stunned to see the theme I had chosen, “Dreaming” was mirrored in my childhood. This work overlays an original drawing from 2005 with a journal entry from 2003, merging memory and intention into a new visual narrative. It’s a realization that this body of work has been forming for decades—instinctively and with love.