A little bit about me...
As much as I can, I try to immerse myself in nature, art, and music, often relating more to animals than humans. The deeper I look at the earth around me, the more I fall in love with our natural world and all it contains. What began as a way to escape society's harsh realities quickly became an outlet and bridge to finding balance. Admittedly, a daily battle in this world.
I struggle with maintaining my peace as I watch others suffer and our system consistently prioritizing greed over humanity. I recognize the trauma that comes with being part of a continuously oppressed and vilified culture runs deep, and I needed to find a better way to cope with living in a world with so many shadows. I say this often: the natural world can be harsh, but it is not malicious, and by immersing myself in our earth, her creatures, and her mediums, I channel the lessons she teaches us to find meaning in both light and darkness.
As an artist, my charcoal drawings are an outlet for my darkness and help me create space for some light. I find myself most drawn to exploring light and shadow to create form. With clay, I connect with and immerse myself in nature. I was introduced to pottery in an undergrad class and was entranced by the spinning lump of earth that organically formed into itself between my fingers and on my wheel.
Painting challenges me the most. I enjoy working with oil paints, watercolors, and ink washes. In my paintings, I try to offer my favorite places and moments a new life to share. Sometimes they come together nicely, other times not so much. C'est la vie.
It's a grueling process to make sense of and accept who you are with all your parts. Being vulnerable and sharing those parts is a whole other mess, but finding a way to share them that feels true is a blessing. It's been a journey to accept imperfection and find the freedom to create, and I am thankful for the space to share who I am with you.