Artist Statement
Through the use of my own life experiences I dive deep into creating an alternate existence. Based upon personal topics that may not be easily digestible I explore issues such as addiction, death, and mental illness. I aim to create both an abstract but representational ‘world’ in which the underlying idea of losing touch with reality can be felt. Although each piece may differ slightly in the issue it references, the result of these experiences can be seen in the common thread of a disconnect from real life.
I work at a large scale, making paintings that fill the room with bright color and confident brush strokes. Using acrylic paint, modeling paste, and other found materials such as yarn I experiment across multiple mediums in unexpected ways. Painting on diverse surfaces such as wood panels, stretched and unstretched canvas, and shaped supports enables me to adapt to both pragmatic issues of portability, as well as technical flexibility. As my work has evolved in scale and format, I have also included 3D elements. For example, “Mothers Touch” includes a large sculptural dome, artificial moss, and paper eyelashes, while “I Didn’t Know What Was In His Cup” includes Jack Daniels beer caps. I amplify the physicality in these pieces by applying my entire body in their construction. Using broad, energetic motions I cover the entire painting with a bright base layer before refining details and textures. In “Rock Bottom” as well as “Chaotic Harmony” the intensity and the power of the colors along with the organic, imaginary shapes are magnified by the rough texture of the brush strokes and thick impasto.
Using personal trauma as content is complicated. In order to connect to viewers and to open the interpretive possibilities for my work, I have chosen to focus on the concept of alternate realities, or alternate truths. With this truth I want to continue creating large, almost sculptural pieces. Highlighting the events in life that can cause someone to create this vivid abstracted reality in their mind. I also want to push the envelope even further and challenge myself to create more in-depth worlds from other people's perspective. I aim to start interviewing other people, hear their stories, and learn about their experiences. By engaging in new research, I hope to create a more diverse world in my work, and to connect with new audiences.