Bio

Artist Statement

For many years, I have chased the ways in which my art can evolve. I seek a method that allows me to imbue every piece I make with meaning. This is a theme that exists within all of my work whether that be painting, printmaking, or graphic design. The goal of my work is to create pieces that carry layers of significance for both myself and others.  

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Within my practice, I make a point to conduct research for the art I am creating. This often means studying the process of making. I achieve this via reading and seeking out instruction. Through deep dives on the internet, leafing through books, conversing with others, visiting sites, and/or many other forms of research, I walk into each piece knowing as much as I can about the content that I am dealing with. The purpose of all of this is to create a body of work packed with meaning from as many angles as possible.  

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Though religion is not a major part of my personal life, I emulate the practices found in religious art. I draw from the grandeur of Catholic cathedrals and create large-scale paintings. I work small symbolic images into the details of my prints. I create handmade paper out of plants or materials thematically relevant to the project. 

Much of this work takes heavy influence from the art and architecture of the Catholic Church. I am particularly drawn to the era of Gothic cathedrals. Having been raised Catholic, I was regularly exposed to pieces of artwork imbued with deep religious meaning and clever symbolism. A major part of my religious studies in Catholic school required analyzing such artwork. We were often tasked with writing assignments where we had to find the visual nods to Biblical stories or concepts and explain the meaning as well as our personal feelings on the matter. This training opened my eyes to a certain approach in creating work.  

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My art mirrors the conceptual aspects of religious artwork and often the visual aspects as well. Catholic art portrays concepts in ways that allow interpretation and dialogue. In my work, there are strong ties to personal narrative. However, I encourage the viewers to come with their own experiences and emotions. They should walk away with an idea of my purpose but be able to reach their own conclusions on what it may mean for them personally. I stray from work that forces a narrative on others because I enjoy art that makes the viewer think. Inspiring thoughts, feelings, conversations, and interactions is my main purpose as an artist.