What do you aim to say by the themes in your art?

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 I wanted to express the essence of ideas into color and composition in a manner that would be engaging to the viewer, particularly about recent events.

Where does your inspiration come from?

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Initially, I was inspired by Scandinavian tile design and wabi-sabi of Japan. I also wanted to take the grid method, with regards to drawing, into another direction with a deeper focus on the story.

Do you have any experiences that have impacted your art?

 

Much of what had occurred during the pandemic provided me with a lot of material. Most notably, the forest fires across Oregon and the Black Lives Matter movement.

Do you feel your art challenges existing barriers?

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I’d never pushed barriers with my work before or explored much in the way of contemporary art, so I’m crossing into uncharted territory. My approach thus far has been to document any given event or idea, and allow the viewer to examine and contemplate said work for themselves. 

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Perhaps, they’ll walk away with something to think about, and possibly act upon, something positive. That would be the most I could ever hope to achieve.

 What are your long-term artistic goals?

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I’d like to take this series, allow it to evolve, into larger work - not necessarily in terms of quantity. I’ve considered a looser mixed media approach, and reach a broader audience.

 What advice do you have for aspiring artists?

 

Learn and practice on a daily basis. I find the work rewarding, ultimately, as a zen experience. Through practice, I’ve learned much about myself and the world. Art is human, a process, a voice, not a destination or a means to an end.

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