Artist Statement
My career began in the theatrical arts. I served as director, artistic designer, and scenic artist at several theaters before pursuing visual art in 2017. I always enjoyed the process of visual problem-solving: How can I take rigid materials and manipulate them to move in a fluid, life-like way? I discovered that by manipulating charcoal and oil paint in this same way, it is uniquely possible to contain the entirety of a complex story in a single image. After refining my technique, I traveled to Scranton to complete an apprenticeship with master artist Anthony Waichulis at the ÀNI Art Academy. After graduating in 2022, I was selected to serve a 2-year international teaching appointment in the Dominican Republic where I’ve worked to cultivate a richer artistic community through art education.
Artist Statement Cont'd
There is a revival of realism happening now that I strive to be a part of and hope to significantly contribute to through a lifelong artistic career. Realism gives me the ability to clearly communicate through recognizable imagery, and art to its core is communication on a fundamental level. When you read an artwork, you discover its themes and ideas for yourself rather than having them told to you. You are influenced by your own voice. This goes a long way in making art so effectively influential in society. I recognize the gravity of this, and the responsibility I have as a visual artist to uplift impactful themes. In past works I have explored topics like mental health, female empowerment, and organized religion. I am very passionate about the influence of realist art and have completely dedicated myself to its revitalization. My sense of theatricality has continued to influence my compositions and has developed into a portfolio of dramatic portraiture and dense still life with a focus on storytelling.