I have been recognized as an old soul for the entirety of my life. I was taught to live off the land, and I grew up playing bluegrass music with my dad. I also worked in a nursing home since I was sixteen years old, and because of that, I intended to pursue nursing as a career. Eventually, my passion for making art took over, and I now immerse myself within that culture. Coming from a more conservative background, this was a tough decision to make. I got my rebellious stream from my mother; She auditioned for clown college in Maddison Square Garden in the year 1980. Her mother prayed that she would not make it, and she didn’t. I promised myself that I would never give up on my dream. I worked incredibly hard to get where I am, managing two jobs through high school, and college, long hours at my apprenticeship on top of school and work. I like to stay busy. It gives me a sense of fullness, and comfort that I am making things happen.
My artwork is heavily influenced by these experiences. Working in a multitude of mediums is my way of reflecting my nature of immersing myself in many micro-cultures and trades. My work draws the viewer in, using warm colors, detailed imagery, or interactivity. I want my viewer to be provoked by an emotion immediately, and to spend some time with the work. I am interested in creating dynamic works, that are exciting, creepy, or playful. My processes and style of art making is informed by old-fashioned methods which is to reveal to the viewer of the roughness that I possess as a person and an artist. Growing up the way I did, I found comfort in being outside of my comfort zone which is why I enjoy using imagery that is aesthetically pleasing at first glance, but the more time that is spent with it, the more unusual it becomes. I tend to incorporate clowns into my work for a variety of reasons. It starts with the idea that my mom never made it to clown college, I began see clowns as an icon of success. I grew up with clowns all over my home and listening to stories about how passionate she was about it. The clown in this case, represents freedom, and pursuing your dreams unapologetically. Individuals who do not conform to society make themselves extremely vulnerable. The clowns I paint are not the typical clowns you’d see in a circus; they have a more naturalistic quality and have minimal makeup to emphasize the humanity within them. I also include bubbles, which are symbolic of a short-lived moment, fragility and impermanence within our existence here on earth. We are given one shot at life, and I feel as if it is important to live it as desired. Allowing the viewer to experience discomfort within an aesthetically pleasing body of work is my way expressing comfort with being outside of your comfort zone.
