I assemble paintings in the way I imagine writers create stories; each element reacts to the next, the setting moves in and out of importance, there are surprises and then loads of re-writes. I am a collagist and I find my inspiration with a combination of library research and a habit of keeping my eyes open to images in unlikely places, like old shoe stores or laundromat posting boards. I am also a bit of a sponge–the music, words and forms of my surroundings bleed heavily into my work. I like to play in the space between planning and spontaneity. I am interested in making works that have concrete references that I then manipulate with speculation and imagination. My ultimate goal is to work in this way in public art.