Inspired by the rich tradition of still life, my work features commonplace objects that are found in my home environment. I manipulate and arrange these objects with the intention of expressing a particular idea or situation. Overtime, the objects begin to function like personal symbols as they reappear in the work to establish a theme. The formal qualities of my work are concerned with unifying simplicity and complexity within a single space. The detailed subjects are contrasted with spacious, vacant backgrounds to allow for a balance between the visual energies. Charcoal, graphite and spray paint are combined to create a grayscale palette. The absence of color simplifies the work further while creating the opportunity for greater emotional flexibility.