Abstract Expressionism and Pop Art have been the two most influential movements for me. Lately I have been inspired by French Graffiti Artist JM Robert and hilarious female Pop Art creator, Ashley Longshore. Both combine elements from my two favorite movements. Robert puts down emotive Rothko-like colors before overlaying black outlines that are sometimes reminiscent of Lichtenstein. Ashley Longshore reminds me of Andy Warhol. She also uses the Pollock method to splatter paint. Two artists who have impacted my thinking over the years, I’m drawn to purely from a gut reaction: Tara McPherson and Mark Ryden.
Because painting is my favorite thing to do and think about, I have been enrolled in art classes since childhood. In high school, I studied with Andy Braitman in Charlotte. At Appalachian State, I minored in Studio Art. On a semester abroad in Florence, I studied Renaissance Art at the Lorenzo de Medici School. After graduation, I attended The Portfolio Center here in Atlanta where I graduated with a dual concentration of design and illustration. I moved to Brooklyn and launched myself as a professional artist and designer. Over my seven years in New York, my jobs gradually led me towards Graphic Design and away from pursuing art. Now, I am working hard on a course correction, to refocus on becoming a contributing part of the Atlanta art community.
When people talk to me about my paintings, the main feedback I get is that they love that they have never seen anything like it. Each one is unrepeatable. I make different decisions as I paint each image. When I am lucky enough to have a large blank wall in front of me, I like to sit and enjoy the possibilities of its emptiness. To me, this is one of the best parts of creating a new piece. I have imagined art all over this city that I can’t wait to bring to life. When I begin a mural, I start by getting very physical, making assertive, gestural strokes for the overall work with an acrylic pen. Then I can see my vision within those lines and block in the base colors with spray paint. Then, I use a mixture of water and exterior house paint for translucent washes creating texture and depth. I let this watery paint drip where it will and quickly wipe some away, leaving drips that feel right. I use thicker undiluted exterior house paint where I want a more opaque coverage. This is the process I developed after years of painting on a small scale in gouache and have adapted to my large scale projects.
I want to share all the energy and passion I feel while painting with the community through public art projects. I hope to create emotive and texture rich pieces that will turn a casual glance into a communication of energy as viewers become engaged with my work.
