ILLUMINATE

In the depths of darkness, even the smallest light can ignite hope, reminding us that every shadow is a canvas for illumination

Why art?

What’s so amazing about art is that I can perceive subjects in a certain way and paint them in a manner that I think conveys my feelings, and yet, every person can see them in a completely different light based on their own perception and lived experiences. Any meaning I try to communicate through my art may not be interpreted in the same way by everyone. In this way, art can connect us as well as explain more about one another, and I believe this gets lost in our world - we forget that others have different experiences and emotions and may not perceive things the same way as us, and it requires us to have grace, understanding, and curiosity.

● What kind of artwork do you do?

Figurative realism, with a touch of surrealism here and there. I used to only focus on portraiture, but I’ve also been drawn to scenes and still life more recently.

● What does your work aim to say?

Often the finished painting reveals what state of mind I was in and what thoughts were going through my head during the process. However, I find that the message often ends up being about our ability to weather storms and the need to let ourselves feel complex emotions, while also being present and allowing ourselves to see some good in the world.

● What motivates and inspires you?

I’m often inspired by bright colors and light and texture, how they can converge to create a form that can then cause an emotional connection. A lot of that comes from my own personal experiences and observations -  on my walks, I look at how the sunlight hits the leaves - where is the lightest shape, is it fuzzy or sharp, is it warm or cool? At a restaurant with friends, I get distracted by the way their cheeks move when they smile - what angle are the creases under their eyes, where does the light hit? Drinking coffee in the morning, I sit on the couch and look at the light coming through the window - how does the temperature of color change around the edge of the light, where does the light hit on my mug? It’s the little things that I notice in the present moment that inspire me to try to recreate them in a way that can feel more real and emotive than just a photo. Other times it is a photo that inspires me - usually a portrait I connect to or want to recreate with a feeling in mind and a desire to make more dynamic and expressive.

● What process do you go through mentally when you are

creating a piece?

Sometimes a painting comes easy, especially if I have a strong vision of the piece or am having a lot of fun with the process, other times it is harder - if I have to make up lighting or change the positions of a figure, it can be more difficult to have a clear vision and I can overwork the paint. Things can also change midway through the painting, if I realize the proportions are off or if I decide I don’t like the colors. It’s a process of trying to be intentional about every brushstroke and every color I add, but I tend to get stuck in the details. Sometimes I realize I’ve gone too far and end up completely painting over a section multiple times because I don’t like it. This is scary to do after you’ve spent a long time on a piece, but I understand that if I don’t feel connected to it, I know I won’t like it if I leave it and it can’t get any worse if I take a risk and paint over it. As I see it, if I don’t like it, it’s just not done yet.

● What role does the artist have in society?

The artist plays a vital role as a bridge between individuals, cultures, and emotions. They remind us of our common humanity and offer new perspectives. I believe artists have the responsibility to be honest and vulnerable in their work, otherwise it will say nothing and do nothing. Art has so much power and we need to use it for good.

● How do you navigate the art world?

Being that I did not go to school for art, I felt somewhat like an imposter for quite some time - I felt too new to try and be in the professional art world, yet I definitely gravitated towards a community that was also very creative. I have many artist friends and acquaintances who I collaborate with, but professionally I kept my presence online for the most part, with the exception of some art markets and coffee shops. I think working together with other artistsl is a great way to navigate the art world, as we all support each other and provide one another opportunities. Now that I’ve taken the time and energy to hone my skills and create a more cohesive collection of work, I feel more confident in showing my work in physical locations. More recently I have stepped out of my comfort zone and started reaching out to more physical locations to show my work, which is much less scary than I anticipated.

● How has your practice changed over time?

I’ve become much more proactive in the making of art over time - I’ve realized that you can’t wait for motivation to come to you, the act of creating is something that will inspire that motivation. I’ve also grown to plan out pieces more, as I used to just wing the composition and subject and color choices. Now that I know more, I’m more intentional about what I paint and how I paint.

● What is the biggest challenge of being an artist?

Probably comparison. There are so many amazing artists out there to compare yourself to, especially on social media, and you can often feel not good enough or like you don’t have a “style” or you’re not making “marketable” art and then feel stuck. It can be debilitating. I have to remind myself constantly that I don’t have to compare myself to anyone but myself, and everyone has different opportunities, resources and ways of going about creating. There’s no one “right way” to be an artist and no art is “right or “wrong”. There’s value in that it came from your brain and not someone else's and you’re doing yourself and others a disservice by trying to be anyone but yourself. Taking inspiration from an artist is one thing, comparing yourself is another.

Focusing on growing and learning and being curious is paramount, and knowing that every artist is unique and wonderful and on their own path is a beautiful thing.

● What themes do you pursue?

Emotions that you may not be able to quite express with words- contrasting feelings of hope and hopelessness, bittersweet memories, disillusionment, stillness, peace, and presence.

● What is your dream project?

I’d love to have a year of free time to work on a collection of large paintings in a quiet peaceful space near nature, with access to models and sets for references that fit my exact needs. I’d love to do larger paintings with multiple people in them as well. With that environment and resources, my creativity would be able to run wild.

● What superpower would you have and why?

In the past I maybe would have said flying because that seems like a very fun and freeing ability, but now at the risk of sounding like a beauty pageant answer, I’d love the ability to give others empathy, because I believe it would alleviate many, if not all, of our collective issues.

● What is the biggest mistake you have made within your career

to this point?

Not believing in myself, not going for opportunities I could have, and not pushing myself out of my comfort zone. I’m learning this more now, but I definitely held myself back from not creating art because I didn’t think it would be good enough, instead of focusing more on enjoying the process and trusting that every step is a step forward, even if I “failed”. Even if I don’t end up liking the piece I make, I still learn something.

● How have other artists or art genres influenced your sense of

Aesthetics?

There are so many amazing artists that I follow and am inspired by. I used to be much more detail-oriented when I first started painting, but over time I’ve learned that simplicity and intentionality with larger, more expressive brushstrokes and texture is much more interesting and challenging to me. A few artists I admire (of many) are Malcolm Liepke, Jeremy Miranda, Keita Morimoto, Pascal Mehlmann, Caroline Ji, and Mark Tennant.

● How do you know when a work is finished?

I take breaks after the first session and come back to it later to look at it from a distance to see if anything looks off to me. Most of the time it either needs another layer to increase contrast or a few more details to make sure your eyes are drawn to the right spots. Once I’m finished, I’ll take another break and come back to it and repeat the process. I’ll take a picture and see if anything sticks out to me then, and if not then I’ll call it done!