I was born in “Just” Virginia, but West Virginia has always felt like a second home. Growing up, I visited twice a year to see family, and in 1996, when my sister enrolled at WVU in Morgantown, my connection to the state deepened. Though I was younger, I relished my own version of the “college experience” whenever I visited her. She decided to stay after graduation, and by 2009, my parents had also made the move—settling in Bruceton Mills.
Meanwhile, I had been living in Utah since 2005, frequently traveling between the two places. When my dad fell ill, I spent nearly a year in West Virginia, and by 2016, after enduring one too many long, snowy winters in Park City, I packed up my Honda Pilot in search of new horizons. I spent three months on the road, wandering the West, but ultimately, I found my way back to Morgantown, where my family had gathered once again.
Staying here wasn’t part of my original plan, as a piece of my heart still belongs out West. But after immersing myself in the local art scene, I discovered a vibrant and welcoming community—something I had been missing. Now, I have a home and workshop space where I can spread out my tools, create, and make a mess. I’ve come to appreciate the simplicity and quiet beauty of West Virginia—one of the country’s best-kept secrets (but let’s not tell anyone).
My art is almost entirely made from stone. Though the materials aren’t local, working with natural resources feels deeply Appalachian. Each piece is crafted slowly and methodically by hand—starting with rough, 5-10 pound rocks and transforming them into intricate landscapes. Many reflect the beauty of West Virginia’s hills, filled with mountains, rivers, sunsets, and waterfalls, while others capture stunning natural spaces beyond the state’s borders.
Sacred Totems 