Artist Statement

You can view all of the 9 paintings that will be in my show at Hidell Brooks Gallery, March 6-27, 2026, on my blog, MakingHappyArt.com. 

I take whimsy very seriously.

I’ve always loved art that makes someone stop, do a double-take, laugh or smile, and remember what it’s like to be a kid again. That’s why I enjoy painting trompe l’oeil-style pieces and what prompted me to create this new whimsical body of work.

From the five-foot-tall fudge ripple ice cream cone to the gingerbread, sugar cookie and frosting scenes, I aim for the illusion of dimension with my painting technique, despite all of the works being completely flat. Whimsy is at the center of each design, and my hope is that many viewers from all walks of life can find something in the pieces that connects with them, and at the very least, makes them smile.

I keep a sketchbook filled with ideas of new sweet creations. These usually come to me in brief flashes, which I quickly sketch while they’re fresh in my mind and then refine later. I draw inspiration from many parts of my life, including an idyllic childhood growing up in a small rural town, fed by my imagination and surrounded by a lot of people who loved me. I think that foundation shines through, without drawing on any particular place, person or event.

Every element of these works, including all of the models I use as references, are made by me. There is no AI or stock photography involved. I scoop my own ice cream and design, bake and decorate real-life cookie and frosting models. This model-making process ranges from a day to a week, but it gives me full control over how the design will look and provides me with much more detailed visual information than any artificially-generated design or airbrushed stock image would do.

I then dedicate dozens to hundreds of hours painting them in a convincing way using multiple translucent layers of acrylic paint. This layering approach contributes to creating a greater illusion of dimension and depth, relying on how light passes through the paint and bounces back at the viewer. I often share videos of my painting process online because I think it’s important for viewers to understand this very human process, rooted in a passion for creating something just a bit magical that lifts their spirits, even if they don’t quite know why.

If nothing else, I aim for joy, whether in the vibrant paint layers, the whimsical subjects or the three-dimensional illusions. It takes that moment of knowing that we are still capable of being surprised and filled with delight to help us see the possibilities all around us.