Artist Statement

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I am interested in the subconscious, our dreams, and our inner worlds. I often lay in bed, having just awoken, attempting to piece together aspects of the dreams I have just experienced. I am curious about these altered states, and the perspectives they may have to offer me in my daily reality.

My work is an examination of these states of awareness. I like to work quickly, in an automatic manner, to produce work that offers a glimpse into these internal spaces. These spaces are often abstract, primal, and emotive.

I am inspired by aspects of surrealism, automatism, abstract expressionism, and street art or graffiti. I like the improvisation and spontaneity taken from these approaches, allowing my subconscious to inform the work. Similar to a Rorschach inkblot, I enjoy interpreting the early stages of my compositions, where I can then refine and render the imagery that I discover. They often remain abstract, but can at times show elements of portraiture or figurative drawing. I like to work with acrylic paints, as they are fast drying and allow the buildup of multiple layers in a shorter period of time. I prefer vibrant and saturated colors, which give more life to the ideas and concepts I am portraying.

I am also interested in sculpture. Using a similar approach to my early stages of painting, I like to work quickly, drawing and sketching, to create and discover abstract shapes and forms. To bring these forms into a three dimensional space, I enjoy experimenting with a variety of mediums such as stone, wood, concrete, plaster, fiberglass, or found materials. I am intrigued by public art installations and interactive works. In the future I want my sculptures to be experienced in everyday life, and not necessarily in a gallery or exhibition. I believe it is important for people to come face to face with art everyday.

Some artists I am currently inspired by are Doze Green, Mario Martinez, Marco Cochrane, David Robinson, Georges Braque, Jean-Michel Basquiat, and Henry Moore.