My art is inspired by a freedom to play that I didn’t know as a child stifled by abuse. Architectural lines may seem as unforgiving as the bars of a prison on mind, body, and soul. However, in finding a different vantage from which to view or a different light to shed on the architecture, my works demonstrate that whatever the circumstance the human spirit, by God’s grace, may ever arise in inspiration, creativity, and life.

The Lodge series exemplifies my rough history, rich heritage, and vivid design. College Lodge rests on Petit Jean Mountain in the Arkansas Ozarks, USA. It was built in the 1920s through the efforts of YMCA and YWCA chapters of Arkansas colleges. In the 1930s it became part of YMCA’s Camp Petit Jean. At this camp you could spend the night in the kids’ shacks and tents or enjoy the luxurious boulder-hewn and rock-built College Lodge or “Guest House.”

Until recently, I paid little attention to this seemingly simple, small structure in its’ present day roofless ruinous state. One rare morning, I was at Petit Jean Mountain’s Stout’s Point photographing a rosy sunrise. As I was beginning to leave, I stopped to challenge myself to take this studio-apartment-sized ruin as far as I dare be inspired and to find meaning in architecture separated from me by a century of use and disuse. The Lodge became my playground and practice of vivid texture, rich tonality, and creative perspective.