This series of large paintings is based on my memories of the endless road trips my family took throughout the United States every summer. My father, who had never been more than 40 miles from his Louisiana hometown until he joined the military in WWII, vowed that his children would see every state, every national park and every momument in the nation. We didn't quite make it but we did visit most of the western states and parks. I remember the feeling of release as soon as we crossed the Mississippi into the land of long vistas and few people. I was intimidated and drawn to the vastness of the landscape, which made me feel both insignificant and connected. I live and thrive on living in a dense urban environment, yet I still seek that emotional breathing space in my art.
