Artist Statement:

I was inspired by Kara Walker and Beatriz Milhazes to create this painting with sculpted cutouts. Throughout the process, I was inspired by Milhazes's use of color and shapes, and Walker's use of cutout objects and realistic things. After looking through a lot of work by these artists, it reminded me of being a kid as well as stuff that some kids might be afraid of. This inspired me to create something that I would want on my wall as a kid, but with something that I would have been scared of as a kid. In this case, a snake.

To create this piece of artwork I used acrylic paint to add color to the background and to create detailed designs on the canvas. I also used construction paper to cut out a snake, as well as tissue paper to create a flower. I did this on canvas and I used modge podge to glue down the snake and the flower.

I first chose my assigned artist and another artist whose work I really admire, and I looked through a lot of their different pieces of art. From there I drew up some sketches of some ideas that I had for my project. From there I began painting the background in a color that I didn't think I would use for any of my designs. I painted the swirls and the sunbeams just as I drew them in my sketch, but everything else I made or painted as I went along. I mostly created whatever came to my mind at that moment and hoped that it would turn out looking good. I knew that I was finished with my piece when there was no more room for me to add any ideas.