I love to create art because it feels like the one place where I can slow down and really see the world around me.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
My favorite type of art to create is anything that lets me tell a story through images. I love photography and film because they capture people in their truest moments. I like work that feels lived in and grounded, something that shows the heart of a place or a person without trying too hard. That’s where I feel the most like myself.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in the small things that most people walk past without noticing. The way someone laughs, the way the light hits a hillside in the evening, the sound of people talking on a porch. Growing up in Appalachia has shaped the way I see everything. The people here, the stories, the quiet strength in everyday life, all of that gives me ideas without me even trying.
What would you do with $25,000?If I had $25,000, I would put it toward building the kind of creative career I’ve been working toward. I’d upgrade my equipment so I can make work that looks the way I imagine it. I’d put money into travel and projects that let me document more stories from around the region. I’d also start building a small studio space where I can create and collaborate. It would give me the chance to grow my work and represent my home in a way that feels true.
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