My artwork weaves gesture, rhythm and story through organic exploration, archetypal narrative and the tension of juxtaposed abstraction.  

I am a settler-artist of English-Irish descent in what is now called Canada. My home and studio are located in Treaty 13 Taiaiak’on, Tkaronto/ Toronto, the traditional territory from time immemorial of the Mississaugas of the Credit, Anishinaabek, Hodinosho:ni and Wendat Peoples. It continues to be the home of many Inuit, Métis and First Nations.

This territory is also governed by the The Dish with One Spoon Covenant - an agreement between the Hodinosho:ni, Anishinaabek and Allies to peaceably share and care for the resources of the Great Lakes Basin. It is also governed by Kaswenta, The Two Row Wampum Belt Covenant, a treaty made between the Hodinosho:ni and Dutch settlers in 1613 that is based on reciprocal relationships of Peace, Friendship and Respect.

We need to learn about and understand these treaties because - We Are All Treaty People.

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I enjoyed a longstanding career in the Canadian Film Industry as a Sound Editor, Post Production Supervisor and Business Manager. In 1987 I was the proud recipient of a Gemini Award for Sound. I hold an Honours Degree in Motion Pictures Studies and also attended the Toronto School of Art. As an Ontario Artist in Education, I created and delivered programs to elementary students that explored the relationship between visual art and music.

I was honoured to have my painting U'mista/Returned, accepted into the collection at the U'mista Cultural Centre in Alert Bay, BC, home to the Kwakwaka’wakw Peoples. Another painting, Collective Interaction, travelled the province of Ontario to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Visual Arts Ontario. My work is held in various private collections in Rome, Santa Fe, Toronto and Montreal..

As a singer and improvisational vocalist, performance highlights have included those with the acclaimed Element Choir directed by Christine Duncan with Inuk Improv-Rock Diva Tanya Tagaq, Jean Martin and Jesse Zubot at the 2014 Polaris Awards, The Great Hall, Massey Hall, St. Paul’s Trinity; Storyteller and Director Laakulak Williamson Bathory;  Apocalypsis by R. Murray Schaeffer at the Luminato Festival; The Guelph Jazz Festival accompanying Sun Ra Arkestra; The Singing River on the Pan Am Path with UrbanVessel.

To view Apocalypsis in rehearsal, copy this link into your browser:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBp6A9gbe8Q

I am a volunteer singer with Comfort Choirs at two Toronto hospitals where we sing at the bedside for patients and families in palliative care, complex chronic care and memory care. It is a deeply loving practice of shared humanity and connection.

For seven years I was a volunteer non-indigenous facilitator with the Kairos Blanket Exercise - an experiential teaching tool that shares the 500 year history of colonization in Canada and its profound and ongoing impacts on the indigenous nations of Turtle Island. It continues to resonate in my life and art as I walk, learn and work for reconciliation.