Statement

From a young age, every person is exposed to a story, whether it be from a book, a show, or something they heard by word of mouth. Storytelling is what connects humans because we are inspired by tales before us. Our actions and choices lead to new stories made to inspire others. Television, films, video games, toys, and memorabilia from childhood are what inspire my work. A significant part of American pop culture is the seasons and holidays throughout the year. Pop culture surrounds all of us and I enjoy consuming media that blends art with culture. Kitsch, German for “Trash”, is an amusing art movement where artists create refined works while playfully commenting on society. They mimic rapidly produced items but instead are one of kind items. Holiday decor is often seen as just something to throw away after its use, but I disagree. The charm of holiday memorabilia is the nostalgic memories that come back. There is a beauty of turning my love of the Halloween holiday and Autumn season into unique artworks. No matter what medium, I enjoy creating campy objects or art, it’s festive and fun.

There are two sides to how I create my work, one side is where I turn to 2D digital media and the other side being 3D traditional sculptures. With my digital art, I love making Illustrative drawings featuring my own original characters. Snapshots of their own unique adventures and colorful displays that feed the eyes. Humans crave not just stories but emotions and warmth. Warm color palettes and playful imagery always brought a sense of comfort to me. That is why seasonal icons show within my work. Pumpkins are universal symbols of the Autumn season but easily become spooky imagery when transformed into a Jack o’ Lantern. Sculpture work is a very inspiring medium to work with because of the creative freedom to create with whatever. With ceramics, it is very easy to play into making strong forms and using glaze to recreate spooky objects. Metalsmithing is a delightful challenge in working out fine details and various visual textures. With any of my works, I invite viewers to make their own interpretation, hopefully inspiring them to create their own stories and bring joy to others.