This body of work began in 2024, before my May exhibition at Chamber’s Walk, when I started exploring larger paintings on newly purchased wooden panels. At the opening reception, my longtime friend Ruthann Perry noticed these pieces and generously invited me to work in her spacious Trenton studio, where she had created her extraordinary found-object sculptures for many years.

That summer, I moved into a portion of her studio, making it possible to fully develop my paintings. We sometimes worked side by side offering inspiration and advice, and other days we shared brief conversations as our schedules overlapped. I continued through the summer, fall, and into spring 2025.
 
Early in 2025, Ruthann shared that she had been diagnosed with lung cancer and would likely need to let the studio go. I moved out that spring and completed the paintings at home. In October, we lost Ruthann. Her generosity, warmth, and extraordinary talent made a lasting impact on me.
I dedicate this work to her.