For me, art is about telling a story - my personal connections to my subjects is the most precious and joyful part of the artistic process.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
After years devoted to drawing and painting, I discovered over the past five years that my creative voice also lies in mixed media. This led me to experiment with printmaking techniques mixed with other mediums. By incorporating new materials, I create layered works that allow me to explore my subjects on a deeper level. I feel most at home when I am exploring new techniques. That sense of curiosity drives my process, pushing me to continually evolve and stay engaged with my art and subjects.
Where do you find inspiration?I’m inspired by people, nature, and the social and political forces that shape our lives. I’m especially drawn to the idea of “home” and how its meaning shifts from person to person. When I travel to unfamiliar places, such as my recent visit to Cuba, I captured unexpected connections. I'm drawn to quiet, unguarded moments when people are doing something meaningful without realizing they’re being seen. I try to capture that honesty of the moment and historical and social conditions in my work.
What would you do with $25,000?I’ve always dreamed of having a seasonal studio where I can focus on my art outside of teaching. With funding, I would convert a local space into a collaborative creative workspace and gallery for both myself and other local artists. As a female-identifying artist with a background in public service, I value community, networking, and public art, and this space would support both my practice and creative collaboration in my community.
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