In Meridian Drift, my collection of encaustic paintings, I explore the intricate relationship between landscapes and the visual language of maps. The landscape in

my work is not only a source of visual inspiration but also a metaphor for the themes

of loss, change, resilience, and adaptation that resonate deeply with me.

The Mapping Series originates from my deep love for natural spaces, particularly

coastlines, estuaries, salt marshes, and tidal rivers. These environments, with their

ever-changing boundaries and delicate ecosystems, have long captivated me. My

appreciation for maps—especially nautical and topographical maps—guides my

artistic process. I use their visual language as a foundation, creating fictional maps

where the boundaries of land and sea merge and shift. Often, I incorporate physical

maps as an underlayer, allowing them to peek through the layers of pigment and

encaustic wax, symbolizing the intersection of reality and imagination.

A concept that subtly informs my work is shifting baseline syndrome—the idea that

each generation perceives the environment they grew up with as the norm, even as

it gradually changes over time. My paintings reflect this phenomenon, capturing the

delicate balance between nature's resilience and the relentless forces of change. By

blending the real with the imagined, I aim to evoke a sense of place that is both

familiar and otherworldly, encouraging viewers to consider the landscapes they know

and how they, too, may be drifting.