My Life
I am an artist working primarily in 2D forms such as painting, charcoal and printmaking. Raised in Houston, Texas, I began to curate an artistic eye through the pursuit of photography. I attended The University in Tulsa in Oklahoma, and, during my time in college, I pursued engineering but found my actual passion in art. After changing majors, I worked under professor and painter, Mark Lewis. I chose painting as my focus. In 2019, I was accepted into the intensive program at the Mount Gretna School of Art and found a love for plein air painting. I’ve shown work in the juried Gussman student show all three years as a B.F.A. and at the juried Mount Gretna School of Art Show. In my final semester, I showcased over 80 artworks in a duo show with Elisa Vandersloot at Living Arts Gallery in Tulsa. After taking a hiatus from art, I am back in the studio creating again.
Artist Statement
I use observed perception as the framework for my paintings. Direct observation provides information to create landscapes and a sense of place. Multiple drawings from direct observation are often combined to create more complex scenarios. I am particularly responsive to light and the manipulation of it which allows me to control the visual experience. I simply enjoy the sensation of light as a way of understanding and a vehicle for discernment. I often impose geometric systems that I find visually pleasing onto my paper before I begin to draw, which helps to inform the composition of drawing. My brushstrokes are very present, as I want the overall surface of the painting to project energy. I work quickly and on all parts of the painting. What I choose to depict thematically has no direction beyond displaying my imagination in tandem with observed elements. These include songs, movies, themes, other artworks, specific words, or even fictional characters. I imagine a scene that relates to the subject that I have in mind, and then I work to make it function visually. I also stay in touch with work by other artists, past and present. Some of my favorite sources of inspiration are J. M. W. Turner and Jake Berthot.