artist statement

In my artwork I try to capture my experience of the beauty that surrounds me. Whether the form is from nature, the human figure, a representation of an animal or an organic and abstract shape, I like the idea of depicting the subtle and gentle forms that shape the aesthetic of what is beautiful to me. I am drawn to bright colors, bold shapes and images that portray an array of various energies that I see in everyday life. My process usually involves seeing an image that stands out to me during times of travel or research and then creating various preliminary sketches of the object. After spending time creating the basic sketches of the form, I then proceed with beginning the process of painting. I often use a mixture of watercolor paint, watercolor markers and sometimes watercolor and regular colored pencils. The process of using watercolor paint involves a lot of color theory and layering of colors to get the desired effect. I enjoy the dichotomy of bright, bold colors and thicker layers of paint contrasted with lighter more watery, loose layers usually in the background of my work. In creating my art I feel a connection to the world that surrounds me and this process not only helps me to make sense of what I see and communicate to others how I experience it, but I also feel a connection to my viewers by allowing them a glimpse into my world and perspective.