Artist Statement

Art is an average part of being alive. It surrounds us in the things we create, listen to, and enjoy. It is a small, aching urge to see things others create and find the inspiration to make something unique to you and your experiences. As an artist, the smallest things seem to ignite that passion, especially in nature, animals, and art itself. A lopsided, messy sketch of a bear in my sketchbook during an introductory university class turned into my first studio project, and cartoony, expressive characters and animals tend to highlight the edges of my notes. People relate to the world and creatures around them, and part of being an artist is bringing forward that human connection, either through relating creatures to our ideals or morals or bringing them to life in a way that connects us to them. People (most of the time) aren't inherently born with a fear of carnivorous animals, reptiles, or insects. It is taught to them through the tales we tell and the art we create. However, there are hundreds of ways to see the humanity in the ways they express themselves. A spider wiping its eyes in the morning or the way a rat family bonds with each other is a different view into the smaller and bigger aspects of the daily lives we all share. The act of surviving a difficult day is something we can all share. Art is instinctual, natural, and wild. It's a challenge to our senses to create something that sounds, looks, smells, or tastes good, and if it doesn't, it's for a purpose that attracts or detracts in the work we make. Art is wild, and so am I.