Artist Statement

My paintings offer an exploration of an imagined world. Color, pattern, and texture are pushed to the limits in these paintings, resulting in dizzying compositions of otherworldly figures, and spliced layers of abstracted forms. These figures are nearly grotesque, alien, and monstrous, yet there’s an aspect of beauty drawing the viewer in. I enjoy working with the idea that each painting contains a foil to my identity, with contradictory elements and moments of uncertainty. The worlds my characters inhabit enable me to envision the possibilities of what could exist beyond our solar system, lightyears away, in another dimension. The palettes for each of these paintings are intentionally wild to give the works a stronger connection to an otherworldly feeling. Comics, cosplay, and the gross-out paintings of Peter Saul all come together as a host of influences. Saul’s use of color rhymes or brings emphasis to the movement of each painting, suggesting lively and animated scenes. The implied narratives that my characters and atmospheres occupy take cues from art history but are also shaped by a diverse range of influences from everyday life. These can include a favorite line from a song heard on the radio, childhood memories of one of my favorite television shows, or random exchanges with friends.

While these paintings boast bold, visually loud elements with vibrant colors and cramped compositions, the worlds portrayed within remain uniquely private. While I’m not driven to answer every question that may arise in response to my works, it is precisely due to my interest in cultivating mystery and acknowledging there is no finite story with these strange worlds.