I've always been an artist. "Artist" was my first badge, my first label, and my first taste of a sense of identity. I can't really remember a time when I wasn't called an artist by my parents, teachers, or other kids at school. I loved to draw. I couldn't stop drawing even if I tried, and I did try! When I was about 10, I decided that I didn't want to be an artist anymore. I was fed up with others labeling me and I didn't want to be put in a box. I was frustrated and wanted my drawings to be better. But, I couldn't stop making, drawing, and painting and I'm happy that I wasn't able to quit. I have always been, and will always be an artist. Making art is one of my deepest emotional/spiritual needs. Sometimes it pours out of me and sometimes I struggle through it. Art making, for me, is the ultimate soul nourishment.
As far back as I can remember I was drawing. In my baby books, my parents recorded that by the time I was 4, I was very good at coloring in the lines and drawing often. Here is a small and incomplete little gallery of pieces I made as a kid. Let's start with this self-portrait I made when I was 5. (I don't know why my name is backward, only that this was a reoccurring issue for me haha!)
Next up, is this mixed media artwork from 2004.
I was in the 4th grade when I made this. My elementary art teacher was an amazing woman (read about her here). On this day she had a student sit for the class so we could do some figure drawing. I remember how I felt when I made this. I usually get in my head when I make art and this was my first encounter with the "flow state." I define this as that state of mind where the rational, self-editing mind gets out of the way and the intuitive creative flow takes over. I still love this drawing all these years later and I still try to make work from that place of freedom and hunger.
This charcoal sketch of my cat is from 2005, so I was around 11 years old when I made it. This is a really good example of my beginning to understand shadow and light a bit more.
I made this face mug in 2010 when I was in 10th grade. He reminds me of an old gnome! He houses our spare keys now and sits in my great great grandfather's hutch among the books.
This oil pastel and watercolor piece is from my senior year in high school. It was a part of a series called "disposable people" highlighting individuals and communities who are discriminated against, enslaved, or forgotten.
This white pencil on black paper drawing was done during my senior year in high school. I thought about posting more but much of the work was not so great! I wish I had more work from my elementary school days to share. It was fun to leaf through the old drawings and paintings!
I always knew that I would make art but I wasn't sure that I would ever show it. Around 2015 I decided that I wanted to share in a way that anyone could gain access to art and that I could be anonymous. I started wheat-pasting drawings in my downtown neighborhood. I loved it! I still do it from time to time. Soon I gained the confidence to apply to my first few shows and sell my art in local markets. It is thrilling to share, talk about, and sell my work to people who connect with it!
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