I’m so honored to have my painting, Domestic Watershed, included in the annual fundraising auction at the Museum of Northwest Art this year! It is on exhibit at the museum through the end of the month.
The painting selected by curator Jessica Wilks, Director Curatorial at the Tacoma Art Museum, is part of an ongoing body of work exploring interior spaces, strong angles, sharp contrasts, and the shifting effects of light. Domestic Watershed specifically is based on the classroom at my former school. My classroom was located in the basement, with very high windows that allowed only a small amount of light to enter. Between 10 and 11 each morning, the light would strike the back wall and create an extraordinary contrast of shadow and illumination. It was a fleeting but beautiful moment that stayed with me.
The painting, Domestic Watershed, reflects on the connection between our everyday actions and the larger environment. What we pour down the drain eventually flows to the sea or into groundwater systems. As an art teacher, I always felt a strong responsibility to care for the school art room thoughtfully — especially being mindful of waste materials and where paint goes after use. Acrylic paint, for example, contains microplastics, and environmental stewardship was something I consistently tried to emphasize in my classroom practice.
Proceeds from the sale of this oil painting will help support the Museum of Northwest Art and its mission of making art accessible to everyone. The museum offers rich programming that connects artists with the community and maintains a strong commitment to arts education through its youth programs. While I’m taking time away from classroom teaching this year, it feels especially meaningful to continue supporting arts education and opportunities for young people in other ways.
Bidding on Domestic Watershed is open through May 31, 2026. You can find the work listed as Lot #137 here: Museum of Northwest Art Auction
Thank you, as always, for supporting my work and for supporting organizations that help keep the arts accessible, connected, and alive within our communities.