Artist statements

Submerge/Emerge

Curiosity and discovery are important in this work as I often piece together small moments or incorporate multiples that create a whole. I explore the idea of opposition both technically and conceptually such as hard and soft, whimsical and serious, comforting and disquieting, nostalgic and hopeful, and reality and fantasy. These polarities reference memories of growing up in south Louisiana, and how I interpret those memories today. Through use of a variety of materials I create and reference the nature of south Louisiana. This landscape is used as a surrogate for experiences which include attempting to escape reality, recalling significant moments, and being confronted with the power of nature’s might. I also allude to ideas about longing and what a home can be. This artwork is a search for myself in relationship to my homeland as experiences and memories submerge and emerge. 

New Ideal Form

I use charcoal drawings to ask questions concerning stereotypes about the “ideal” woman’s body. This concept of the ideal has been present for centuries, has changed over time, and is affected by society. I have noticed a shifting trend lately as more and more women are largely concerned with what their bodies can physically do rather than what they look like. I call this work New Ideal Form, because I believe the “ideal”  has changed in the minds of many athletic women. We now set ideal goals for our bodies to do instead of trying to achieve the unattainable physical manifestation of a perfect body. These goals are dependent on individualized hard work instead of outside opinion. In this artwork I emphasize strength through defined muscles and beauty through soft backgrounds. I plan to expand this work by drawing models with different body types to further the concept that the ideal is based on individual and ever-changing goals, not on predisposed requirements set by society.