Artist Statement 

 

Our work is based on observations of our home in North Central Washington, a place of rugged mountains, sagebrush foothills, and narrow river valleys.  While the snow-capped peaks inspire awe, it is the sparse dry hills and agricultural fields that continually draw our attention.  It is in these lowlands that we find our voice, exploring the intersection of the native landscape and the influence of man in transforming that landscape. 

Blackbirds flocking to a lone cottonwood tree, a full September moon signaling the harvest, straw bales left to rot in a farmer’s field, an abandoned fence line of weathered posts.  These simple, abstract images present to the viewer a single moment in time, but a more elaborate storyline lies in the periphery.  The narrative tells of the cycles and the seasons that inform and direct our daily lives.  It defines our connection to place, to each other, and to our collective past.  It conveys the story of culture, community and dedication to a way of life. 

Our current work represents a view of our small farm and the surrounding agricultural fields and ranch lands.  It is about the transformation of the land, but it is also an expression of the value of agriculture and the importance of simplicity, patience, and respect for the natural rhythms of the land.