Artist's Statement

In my art I want to show that I see an amazing validity in taking ideas that float into your head and having the skills to create what you want to see in the world. I love the idea of creating a work of art from multiple media and execution styles; screen printing, painting, collaging, sewing, knitting, embroidery, and other forms of creating, of crafting, that have been long dismissed or ignored as women’s work. I like the idea of creating works to challenge that notion; works that seek to elevate these practices to the prestigious status of high art. All the while, I am edging domesticity with the idea of a womanly figure. I am inspired by the idea of cabaret, pin-up, and expanding the possibilities of everyday dress; while reconciling fantasy and reality. I am always exploring the idea of what it means to be a woman; to be feminine and sexy, to own your sexiness. I explore the idea of beauty in a multitude of shapes and sizes. In that process I am usually showing that what we see as outside the conventional definitions of beauty and grace can be stronger than those conventions, if shown with pride and conviction. I create these characters; these strong women, who are all partial embodiments of myself. They reveal inner strength, tenacity, grace, beauty, courage, resilience and a love of the self that can be truly inspiring. These characters seem to me to be fully formed, well rounded and completely fleshed out, each leading their own story. They help to remind me of who I am and who I want to be. They help me to discover a definition of what it means to be a woman, and to be an artist. I often work in 2-D and 3-D to explore the constraints and limitations of a medium. I create using shapes and colors that remind me of who I am, even if it’s just in that moment. With printmaking, I enjoy learning the rules to try and bend them, and in many cases I try to see how much detail I can pack in or take out and still have an image that informs my viewers without driving them crazy. I enjoy the idea that my work is something that people want to touch look at and examine, trying to understand the intricacies. I hope that my artwork creates a moment for a person; whether that includes a memory, an emotion, or connection.