I have always loved telling stories. In my work, I draw on mythology and history, the real and the imagined. Dreaming has always fascinated me, and I’ve sought to combine the surreal, blurred quality of those scenes with that of stories I carry in the waking world. Whether it’s the far-off expressions in my portraits or the exaggerated elements in my more surreal paintings, I like to capture a feeling of being “in-between.” Nothing is quite concrete; my works are unstuck in time and space. Using mythical creatures such as dragons, and myths like the Assyrian conquest of Susa, I combine the unsettling sense of the unreal with the storytelling elements I so love. I also seek to evoke a sense of detachment and mystery, using the imagery of eyes to mimic the discomfort that comes from being observed. All of my pieces are meant to convey the feeling of sleepwalking through the world. I like to establish an ambiguity that leaves the viewer questioning what the truth is. Art hasn’t always been such a significant part of my life. It wasn’t until I began painting that I realized my passion for artistic expression. It was a medium I could truly spend hours on without tiring. As I painted more, I realized that it had gone far beyond a hobby. This summer, I enrolled in a program at PAFA. Initially, I didn’t know what I was getting into, but what I found was a challenging, engaging month filled with people who pushed me to become a better artist. Immersing myself in this environment was novel, and yet allowed me to explore new mediums and make valuable connections.
Paintings
Beach Shadows 8"x10"
"No Eyes" Portrait 24"x18"
The Swallow and the Crow 11"x17"
Unravel 18"x24"
Home of the Mountain Dragon 24"x18"
Out of the Box 15"x11"
Sigal 8"x10"
Plague Year 8"x10"
Observational Portrait in Oil 15"x11"
Sketchbook
Pages from my current sketchbook. Each piece is a 4”x4” acrylic study of people, birds, and things I love.
Drawings
Observational Figure in Charcoal 24"x18"
Observational Still Life in Charcoal 24"x18"
Taming Dragons 8"x10"
Digital
Redesigned Brobecks Albums: Reimagined albums from the late-2000s band, The Brobecks. Both demo versions of these albums have been lost and, after rediscovering them, I was inspired to create unique covers. 11"x11".