ARTIST STATEMENT
As a painter and drawer, I’m interested in the intimate and small daily things I notice in my surroundings, where our lives are lived and our imaginations travel. I have painted scenes of my daughter growing up and the richness of the space between us. My portfolio includes interiors of our home, our neighborhood, nearby parks and family trips. When I lost my mom tragically, I painted her in order to grieve and experience the magic of conjuring her face when I missed her. In these ways my work has circled around the matrilineal family line on many levels.
One of my greatest joys is when I’m drawing or painting and feel the current that runs between my eye, my hand, and the world. Feeling connected to stream of creativity so much bigger than me is both soothing and energizing.
I believe our experience of beauty is like a compass inside us—it gives us a natural sense of astonishment and reminds us of what matters most. Taking the subject of beauty seriously has defined me as an artist, as well as fighting for its significance. Our world is oriented towards how we are perceived and on outcomes instead of our own internal experience.
Along these lines, most recently I have turned my attention to painting flowers and plant life. These paintings are quicker and smaller than previous work. They have become like a daily devotional practice for me. Each day I respond to what is in front of me and to follow where it takes me. I am interested in how the mess and letting go of control is what makes the process joyful and leads to the most rewarding results. Each painting is an authentic record of a few hours of my attention.
This shift from larger, complex, rendered work to smaller spontaneous pieces was inspired by participating in Drawing is Free (@drawingisfree)—a weekly zoom portrait session where we model for each other and pose for the length of one track of music. These quick portraits encourage a playfulness, risk taking and a light touch. Artists who participate from around the world have gotten to know each other through sharing our drawings. At this moment in time, with so much violence and hostility in the air, these gatherings are a balm for the soul.
Examples of my both my recent paintings and quick portraits can be viewed on my Instagram
I’ve also started a local in person version of Drawing is Free called Face the music. We meet monthly at The Supermarket space on N. Highland Ave. I put it on monthly in collaboration with The Bakery Atlanta.