Mommy & Me

Acrylic paint, mixed media and found objects

As a young mother, it has been difficult to find a work-life balance and still have motivation to do what I am passionate about as an artist. In between playing with dinosaurs and picking up food I find in crevices, what my daughter and I share is a deep love for art-making together. As a result, creating with my child has become integral to my work. Influenced by Brandi Hofer’s collaborative process with her children, I use this creative space to educate my child on shapes, color theory, letters, numbers and patterns. The artwork we make together is about embracing the mess, being open to change, and selecting colors based on how we feel in the moment instead of thinking about the end result. This creates a fluid art piece that is born when we decide that it is finished, revealing its form to us.

In addition to teaching subjects, my daughter and I work sustainably by using old canvases found at thrift stores or from students’ unclaimed work.We use found objects in the home, as well as other thrifted items such as buttons, gems, fabrics, and toys. Using leftover scrap paper, we do paper making, all the while she is learning how to care for herself, storytelling and caring for the environment.

Coping as a Caesarean Mother

Acrylic paint, mixed media and found objects

I reconstruct memories based on spatial awareness as well as the physical, emotional and spiritual responses that are provoked by my experiences as a genderqueer mother. Mary Cassatt and Judy Chicago’s work that aims to bring to light the realities of pregnancy, birth and motherhood inspired me to share through the lens of a genderqueer individual. Louise Bourgeois' physical translation of trauma through three-dimensional, abstract and symbolic figures inspired me to incorporate found objects when trying to depict pain, discomfort or insecurities. My use of layers, texture, color and geometric shapes to translate space and time was influenced by Carrie Patterson’s work. Brandi Hofer introduced me to the idea of finding a balance of creating while learning how to be a mother, through collaboration. By finding ways to incorporate my child throughout my process, the act of creating became a bonding experience and coping mechanism in a moment of reflection; addressing time, space, collaboration, self awareness and acceptance of what is out of our control. This body of work primarily focuses on textured acrylic paintings in combination with found objects, many were items used during my personal postnatal period.

Diary of a Pregnant "Woman"

Marker

My work drastically transitions from focusing on sharing other’s voices to sharing my own, as I focus on translating my personal responses to physical and emotional trauma; expressing the doubt, fear, and conflicted feelings I had towards my pregnancy. My work became a diary as I documented my physical experiences and mental state throughout my three trimesters. This approach was influenced by Frida Kahlo’s use of self portraiture to discuss themes of identity, trauma and the human body. The artistic style however was heavily inspired by Judy Chicago’s ability to translate physical experiences, such as child birth; through the use of color, contrast, and repetition. Barbara Kruger’s exploration of text-based art with positive and negative space also influenced my use of confessional text and the theme of balance, space and synchronicity within my diary. This body of work primarily consists of markers as it is a convenient on-the-go medium to use while traveling back and forth from work, college classes, doctor appointments and home.

Public Concern

Graphite Drawings

What was once intimate becomes public concern as I focus on social commentary by analyzing socio-cultural factors such as beauty, sexual orientation, gender roles, and race. My work is dependent on my day-to-day interactions as I address people’s personal concerns through a discussion-based process in order to acknowledge issues I myself may not be exposed to. I incorporate taped recordings from my participants to ensure I am not speaking for them but rather use this opportunity as a collaborative and educational experience. This investigation has been heavily influenced by John Coplans and Lorna Simpson’s work with my use of unconventional portraiture, cropped imagery, and eliminating context from the background to emphasize the act that is being captured. Although my work varies in two-dimensional art, I primarily work with graphite pencil drawings as it allows me the opportunity to feel personally connected to both the individual and the subject, as I observe and transfer their experiences and physical characteristics in a way that mimics a photograph.