About Me.
Artist Statement
I make artwork that synthesizes text and images because I want to engage the viewer in my personal, reflective narratives. I want to approach art as a sort of catharsis, a way to express complex emotions of love and loathing, hope and despair.
When I first begin a piece, I start with the specific emotion or experience I want to capture. After I decide what the essence of the work is, I use this information to guide my choice of medium and style. I tend to favor a palette of blues, purples, and pinks, but vibrant hues in general are a usual feature of my works. I prefer to work with bold colors because I intend for my art to demand the viewers’ attention, rather than just patiently waiting for them to notice it. The text is always my original writing because this makes me more vulnerable and therefore more personally invested in the piece. I highly value honest expression, even if it makes me or the viewer uncomfortable. I usually work with a technique that supports my content.
Currently, I am working on a digital media piece that explores the relationship between body and self. It reflects a personal struggle with acceptance and embracing my body as worthy of compassion, regardless of flaws or shortcomings. I am challenging my own insecurities by exposing a lot of my body, as well as society’s dictation of what is acceptable. Despite the amount of naked skin, I have not clearly exposed myself any more than a bathing suit does; still, the context in which I am displaying myself may have an intrinsic sensual tone because of the exposed skin, regardless of my intention. The purpose of this work is to communicate that the body does not always have to be sexualized. It is simply the vessel which protects your very essence and allows for your mind to develop and thrive. I am attempting to use text to draw attention away from the body by itself and instead focus on the relationship between the body and psyche. I still want to emphasize my respect for technical skill in creating a formal composition with dynamic energy and a strong use of layering to create a sense of depth and texture.
I make artwork that synthesizes text and images because I want to engage the viewer in my personal, reflective narratives. I want to approach art as a sort of catharsis, a way to express complex emotions of love and loathing, hope and despair.
When I first begin a piece, I start with the specific emotion or experience I want to capture. After I decide what the essence of the work is, I use this information to guide my choice of medium and style. I tend to favor a palette of blues, purples, and pinks, but vibrant hues in general are a usual feature of my works. I prefer to work with bold colors because I intend for my art to demand the viewers’ attention, rather than just patiently waiting for them to notice it. The text is always my original writing because this makes me more vulnerable and therefore more personally invested in the piece. I highly value honest expression, even if it makes me or the viewer uncomfortable. I usually work with a technique that supports my content.
Currently, I am working on a digital media piece that explores the relationship between body and self. It reflects a personal struggle with acceptance and embracing my body as worthy of compassion, regardless of flaws or shortcomings. I am challenging my own insecurities by exposing a lot of my body, as well as society’s dictation of what is acceptable. Despite the amount of naked skin, I have not clearly exposed myself any more than a bathing suit does; still, the context in which I am displaying myself may have an intrinsic sensual tone because of the exposed skin, regardless of my intention. The purpose of this work is to communicate that the body does not always have to be sexualized. It is simply the vessel which protects your very essence and allows for your mind to develop and thrive. I am attempting to use text to draw attention away from the body by itself and instead focus on the relationship between the body and psyche. I still want to emphasize my respect for technical skill in creating a formal composition with dynamic energy and a strong use of layering to create a sense of depth and texture.
From a young age, I have been constantly doodling and coloring (I was always a stickler about staying in the lines!). I acquired a large collection of How-To art books, spending hours perfecting my rendition of a dragon or mermaid. I have carried my passion for capturing life and emotion with me through the years, although I will admit that taking Art at Maggie Walker definitely inspired and motivated me to really evaluate and explore my artistic capabilities.
Right now, I enjoy using mediums like pen and ink, colored pencil, and metal point; paint has always seemed somewhat daunting to me, but I hope to push beyond the confines of my comfort zone and experiment. Additionally, I absolutely love vibrancy, metallic hues, and glitter! I am hoping to eventually use the inclusion of these qualities in my artwork as a sort of trademark. My love for the visual arts extends beyond paper and pencil; I also enjoy taking and editing photographs, which will be featured in their own section. I am also currently volunteering with Project EngageRVA, a nonprofit organization run by other Maggie Walker students. We are working to provide virtual educational opportunities for k-5th grade kids in the greater Richmond area. Check it out! FAMILY
mom: preschool SPED teacher dad: firefighter brother: VMI alum; Boeing employee sister: eighth grader in IB program at Fairfield Middle School HOBBIES
reading realistic fiction and memoirs recreational sports walking my dog yoga and working out hanging out with friends taking and editing pictures writing poetry brainstorming projects binge-watching crime dramas and rom-coms FUTURE CAREER INTERESTS
mental health nurse practitioner english major photojournalist for national geographic (dream job!) |