Artist Statement

I make paintings and drawings that seek to understand the relationship between the human body, nature, and spirit through references to human-made social systems, built spaces, and psychological environments.

The undercurrent of my studio practice acknowledges a metaphysical energy within all living things and through all forms of the natural world. This is realized through a fantastical color palette, creature-esque forms, and through patterns and symbols that allude to a personal narrative derived from my inner dialogue and life experience. That said, I believe this narrative is no longer mine once a work is published to an audience. It then tells the unique stories of the viewers, what they see in themselves, and how the work does or does not align. I unpack these themes through imagery that is surreal and theatrical, with figures that find themselves in disjointed environments and surrounded by illustrious signifiers.

Currently, I am working on a collection of new works on paper and stretched canvas entitled “The Forager’s Spirit Guides”. These works range from small (8 in. x 10 in.) to large (up to 5 ft. x 6 ft.) pieces, composed with a wide range of materials including, but not limited to acrylic ink, dry pigment, spray paint, watercolor, marker, oil sticks, acrylic and oil paint. One example of how I visualize my core themes is in my repeated use of a checkerboard-esque pattern that I use to define architectural spaces and figures. This evolved from an ongoing meditation that considers the rhythm and pulses of the living body, of breath, and the beating heart. In tandem, it is the rhythm of these electrical systems that keep our spirits tethered to our bodies throughout our lives, while it is the earth that tethers us to each other in a 3D form. In May 2024, I experienced both giving birth and being present for the death of a loved one within five days of each other, and I often contemplate the magnitude of these moments. That is, the moment a newborn takes their first breath and when a loved one takes their last. Often, we are encouraged to fear the latter, although, in both occurrences, it’s as if the universe has shifted, as if a portal has opened that allows a soul to enter this world or leave. These experiences opened up the significance of breath and its relationship to the portal, gateway, to the place where our souls live when they are not tethered to our 3D bodies in this life. I think about the human body and how we are connected to rhythm. The checkerboard pattern visually mirrors that rhythm, the rhythm of breath, and the pulses of heartbeat. The figures, trees, plants, and landscapes that show up in my work, often are very bodily, almost creature-esque, as if only something this unusual and vibrant - but with the shape of something “normal” - can house such a magnificent thing as a soul. Through these fantastical elements, this work opens a conversation about how much of our human experience is lived in the 3D world that we all know so well, and how much is lived through energy and forces that we barely know how to name.

CV 

Invited & Featured Exhibition 

Rose-colored Alchemy, DISTRICT Arts, Frederick MD | 2021 

Solo Exhibition   

Cells & Souls, Towson University Storage Space Gallery, Towson MD | 2012   

Movement & Change, Towson University Storage Space Gallery, Towson MD | 2012   

Presentation of New Works, Schezuan Café, Glen Burnie MD | 2012   

Get There (site-specific installation), Towson University Center for the Arts Grand Hall, Towson MD | 2010  

Presentation of New Works, Side Gallery, Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, Silver Spring MD | 2010   

Second Chance (site-specific installation), Towson University Campus Bridge, Towson MD | 2010 

Group Exhibition  

National Juried Exhibition, The Delaplaine Arts Center, Frederick MD | 2023
Juried by Foon Sham, Sculptor and Professor at the University of Maryland, College Park

Imagine Hope, Center for Hope, Baltimore MD | 2022 (Artwork donation for their Permanent Collection)

Out of Order, 2nd Virtual Auction Event by Maryland Art Place (MAP), Baltimore MD | 2021 

Free Punch & Pie, Featured in-person and virtually in AU Museum@Home, American University Museum, Washington DC | 2021 

Actual Dilemma, MFA Thesis Exhibition featured virtually through the AU Department of Art, Washington DC | 2020  

Phenomena of Identity, Katzen Arts Center, Washington DC | 2020  

Peripheral Visions, AU Museum, Washington DC | 2019  

Luxberg Jewelers & Art Gallery, Linthicum MD | 2017 

Annual Regional Juried Show,  Maryland Art Place (MAP), Baltimore MD | 2013
Juried by Kristen Hileman, Curator of Contemporary Art and Department Head at the Baltimore Museum of Art   

Flux Capacity, Nudashank Gallery, Baltimore MD | 2012   

Reckless Drawing, Towson Commons Gallery, Towson MD | 2012   

Towson University Graduating Seniors, Borrowed Space Gallery, Towson MD | 2012   

Juried Student Art Exhibition, Towson University Main Gallery, Towson MD | 2011  

Community Projects 

Forest (outdoor mural), Soundplay Music Studio, Silver Spring MD | 2017  

All-Seasons Oak (office mural), Little Blue House Events, Wheaton MD | 2017  

Artist Vendor, 7th Annual Sykesville Art & Wine Festival, Sykesville, MD | 2017  

Light Forest (euthanasia/patient meeting room mural), Huffard Animal Hospital, Pasadena MD | 2017  

Artist Vendor, Columbia Festival of Arts, Columbia MD | 2013 

Artist Vendor, Annual Laurel Arts Festival, Laurel MD | 2013  

Teaching 

Visiting Guest Lecturer, “Foundation of Fundraising” Arts Management Graduate Course, American University | 2021 

Private Instruction, Art & Design College Prep | 2018-2021 

Published Works 

Culture Lab Washington DC, “The Current Philanthropic Landscape” | 2017