Biography

I graduated from Iowa State University with my BFA in 2007. My concentration was in painting and drawing focusing mainly on the human figure. I earned multiple awards throughout my education in juried shows, including an award in my senior class exhibition. After my time at the University, up until 2020, my work was mainly commission based. These commissions ranged from oil paintings for private collections of various subject matter to large scale murals for businesses.

My current work is comprised of two series that are very close to my heart. My “Drip” series are nature themed paintings made completely out of drips of acrylic paint. This has been an experimental project that I began working on in 2021. “Intrusive Thoughts” is a series of oil paintings inspired by memento mori artwork in late 16th _ early 17th century Europe. These paintings are about my experiences with mental health. The planning and research for this work began in 2020. You will notice that these two series are very different. I don’t believe in the common “advice” that artists should pick one style and stick with it. My work needs to have personal meaning for me to create it, and the application of the paint always has thought behind it.

Artist Statement

An artist’s ability to give up some control over their work of art has fascinated me since I viewed Hans Arp’s “Collage Arranged According to the Laws of Chance.” Although I don’t believe there is an artist that would fully indulge themselves in a piece of work completely blind of their own composition, the idea of giving up some control excites me. I’ve been a seeker of my own ability to leave an element of chance in my work over the years. I have arrived at my ever-evolving Drip Series.

I have been enamored with running drips of liquid since I was child. Watching rain run down a window is a soothing playful experience for me. I began incorporating drips of paint in mural work, to add whimsy to my design. As I worked one day, I asked myself, what would a painting completely made from drips of paint look like? Would it even be possible to control that many drips of paint to create an image that resembled anything? What does it mean to me, to make a work of art completely out of drips of paint? These questions began a year long journey of experimentation, that has brought me to the paintings you see today.

My initial plans for this body of work stemmed from the idea of capturing motion and energy, but an underlying theme of chaos began to emerge as I experimented with my medium. I decided to fully embrace this theme. I find there is a natural connection between my nature based subject matter and chaos. There are so many layers of emotion and experience for me while I am immersed in nature. I want these paintings to embody this; to bring excitement to the viewer, nostalgia, and joy.

Instagram