How did you get started as an artist?
I knew I was meant to be an illustrator when my free time as a small kid was making stories and drawing pictures about cats and underwear and bicycles. If it was an object or an animal, I always had an idea. It’s how I made sense of the world. Art became this amazing outlet where I could break the rules and be totally weird. The more I explored, studied, and created, the more I realized this is what I was meant to do.
What themes does your work involve?
My art never really “dove into a beautiful theme” but rather crash landed into this messiness of being silly. I love exploring that weird, in-between space where reality meets imagination. And I always go back to using animals. I’m fascinated by everything animal, the way they move, the way they contradict how they function, and the way they express themselves. I capture moments where everything makes sense and no sense at all- and that’s where the magic happens.
My art never really “dove into a beautiful theme” but rather crash landed into this messiness of being silly
Can you describe your creative process?
My creative process is total organized chaos and tons of caffeine. I usually start with what inspires me at the moment- a conversation, a color, a book I read, a fork I literally used, anything that can be turned into something comical. I jot down my ideas, and then I do some sketching. What emotion do I want to convey? What animal and colors would be best to “tell the story?” Is it really funny or am I on my 4th round of caffeine?
Sometimes I’ll let a piece marinate for a bit, but honestly, I try to strike when the iron is hot. My paintings usually are finished in a half a day. I don’t like to sit on ideas too long because I’m so afraid I’m going to miss out on creating something else. Ultimately, my goal is to create something that invites viewers to just… smile. It doesn’t have to be super deep, and they can take away from it whatever they want.
I’m fascinated by everything animal, the way they move, the way they contradict how they function, and the way they express themselves
Do you have any artistic goals for the future that you would like to share?
I have a few big dreams for my future. One of my primary goals is to expand my body of work into larger series and possibly travel with that series. Adding more pieces as I visited more places and experienced new things. Since I am animal focused, I would love to work with more zoos, rescue foundations and national parks. I want to delve deeper into working outside and painting live. There is something nice about capturing wildlife in their habitats that can also help me create my stories and paintings.
I’m also eager to explore more mural work. I love working on the large blank spaces and creating a work that any person gets to see. It’s a great way to meet people and connect to communities I might not otherwise do in my studio.
Lastly, I dream of publishing tons of children’s books. I’m so influenced by illustrators and writers I just find this need to draw and connect to kids in the way I was. I want to create magical worlds and weird characters and anything that lets kids be free to use their imaginations.
