Artist Statement
Abstraction is a means for me to explore—a way of exploring both myself and my rituals. I approach a canvas as a problem that requires solving. Through elements of surprise and spontaneity, my works translate an internal struggle and continuous back-and-forth. Influenced by the everyday and nature, I take inspiration from the rhythms and vibrations that exist around me. Nature offers an element of both surprise and consistency, and it is this constant tension that feeds my works. Through my pieces, I explore the idea of routines and rituals that are associated with creating.
Laying down my marks with my hands and unconventional brushes allows me to dive deeper into the works, the act of painting mirroring the raw, organic traits of the moments I depict. My work dances between chance-based elements, structured shapes, and spontaneous expression. I enjoy approaching the canvas with a plan, bringing the work to a structured place only for me to react on top of this. The initial layers of the canvas are safe and controlled, often made from soft washes of paint or chance-based cyanotypes that mimic a moment in time. These are then contrasted by layers of bold, colorful fields of paint that break the surface and interrupt the layers below.
Over time, I have noticed that I am highly interested in the energy that fills the world around me. I find myself personifying seemingly mundane elements of life like the damp breeze that grazes my skin and the push and pull of the tides. I have realized my paintings are a way for me to capture this sensation. I connect with my works on a human level, building my relationship with them as I paint. The paintings take form from the energy that surrounds me, the unnoticed from the everyday.