2D Studio Art - Painting & Drawing
My current work explores the feminine body in relation to the politics of inhabiting a visually feminine form, the domination of the male gaze, and the ever-present voyeur peeking through the female mind. I wanted to show a genuine perspective of the paranoia and scrutiny that come with existing as a woman, and inhabiting a body that carries with it an untold mountain of history, expectations, beauty standards, abuse, and stereotypes. However exhausting or frightening it can be as a woman sometimes, I wanted to ignite hope, solidarity, and courage with my work. By expressing my visual interpretation of how it feels to exist as me, my goal is to connect with others who share similar experiences, or those willing to take a look at my perspective.
I have always been devoted to art as a genuine perspective of my being, my emotions, and my dreams. I wanted to explain my existence in a way that can be shared with others. Using watercolor, markers, and ink, I brought a bit of playfulness into my work by using materials I initially used as a child learning to create. Art making has always been an immense source of joy in my life, and I dreamed of bringing that nostalgia to my audience. At the same time, the playfulness is somber, as every woman remembers being a child and becoming aware of the realities we face as we grow up. My work draws deeply from this sense of realization at girlhood that begins when we start to understand gender dynamics, and how it affects the way people treat us.
My creative process involves journaling, sketching, and visualizing the concepts of my work. I generally get inspired by music, movies, or literature. Sometimes moments from life spark an idea for a project, or sometimes my work begins instinctually. I love to write poetry or journal responses to how I feel about certain media as a means of conceptualizing my work. I use trial and error to shape the idea on a surface. Lately I’ve been using ink and watercolor to transfer my ideas onto paper. My work is influenced by many artists, some of my favorites are Hilma af Klint, Artemisia Gentileschi, Jenny Saville, and Hieronymus Bosch.
Green Tears, watercolor on paper, 18 x 24 inches, 2022
Green Tears, (detail)
Blue Phantom
Blue Phantom, (detail)
Red Gaze
Red Gaze, (detail)
