Artist Statement

Is it cliche to say I have a complex relationship with art? 
Responsibilities I never asked for, self-inflicted perfectionist tendencies, 
and resulting emotional suppression come from 
my paintbrush before I even think about touching a canvas. 
Yet, sleepless nights are my best friend, my vision blurring from squinting, 
my thoughts battling like crashing swords, 
and my arms and legs inadvertently becoming covered in toxic paint. 

IT IS NOT MY CHOICE TO CREATE, I MUST.  

Art is my method of storytelling, 
visually representing truths that remain unspoken, cannot be spoken. 
These truths manifest in the handpicked symbolism of each item, 
the dramatic tonal shifts in lighting, and the soft highlights that point to texture. 
Setting the scene for fantastical, sensational impossibilities 
gives me enough subtlety, ironically, to whisper a single word in your ear. 
Perhaps it’s because my grandmother indulged 
my need for stories surrounding princesses and unicorns, 
perhaps it’s because I’ve read “The Lord of the Rings” at least eight times. 
Or maybe it’s because I believe a fairy’s wings could make reality a little kinder, 
giving us the courage to forge the path we must.