When a ship sinks to the bottom of the ocean it does not merely deteriorate. Over time plankton and planula attach themselves all over the ship, growing into beautiful coral reefs, creating a paradise community for all sorts of sea life. However, coral is a very fragile animal, if water temperature falls just two degrees below or above its normal temperature the coral become stressed and bleach themselves. When coral bleaches, it is shedding the pigment in its skin, which is its major food source. In other words, it begins to kill itself along with the aquatic community thriving within it.

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The tides of the ocean rise and fall depending on the gravitational pull of the moon. Twice a month these pulls can be so great that they cause the tides rise and fall within 16 meters. As the tide recedes, pockets of oceanic life are left behind, called tide pools. From the outside these look like beautiful tiny ecosystems, full of corals, anemones, seaweed, and other life forms. However, after the tide goes out those creatures are trapped and as the sun goes down the seaweed stops creating oxygen in the water and the creatures not only fight for food, but also oxygen.

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I think of myself as the ship, or a tide pool, and the plankton and the planula represent the way I have grown as a person through the obstacles life has thrown in my direction. My creative process consists of tedious and repetitive textures, specific coloration, and atmospheric firings. The repetitiveness is my form of meditation and the bright colors represent the life within me. The pieces are atmospherically fired, causing areas in which these bright colors bleach and dull somewhat, representing periods of overwhelming stress in my life.

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I like to create oceanic life that appear to be beautiful, but with a little more knowledge can seem tragic as well. Most people can appear beautiful and self-composed, but getting to know them a little more reveals a lot more under the surface.