Artist Statement
In a style that has ranged from surreal to entirely abstract, my work explores themes of collective consciousness, entropy, and finding hope and meaning in an otherwise chaotic existence. I lean into the comfort of color, soft shapes and flatness to balance out the feelings of being out of control and groundless. My process can involve spontaneous mark-making that evolves into progressively more structured scenes that can resemble landscapes, galaxies or microscopic ecosystems. I incorporate personal intuitive symbolism in paintings that seek to simply set a scene for whatever emotions may flow in response. In my work I invite the viewer to wander their interior paths and ponder the connection between the micro and the macro, all the while safe to enjoy a vibrant and turbulent colorscape.
Photo credit: Danae Stephens
winshipphotography.com
Selected Exhibitions
BAUSCH and LOMB Rochester NY. Rotating Artists program. Oct-Dec 2017
MAIN STREET ARTS Clifton Springs, NY. Utopia/Dystopia May 2017
NORCHAR REALTY Rochester, NY. Hues of Hope: Support for victims of gun violence. May 2017
LUNA GALLERY Rochester, NY. Black and White. October 2016
LUNA GALLERY Rochester, NY. Midsummer Night’s Dream. July 2016.
CLOTHESLINE ARTS FESTIVAL Rochester, NY. September 2014 and 2015
VACI STUDENT SHOW Chautauqua Institution, NY, July 2015
ART AWAKE Rochester, NY. Regional show sponsored by University of Rochester. April 2014.
Residencies
The YARDS ART SPACE Rochester, NY Janurary 2017
Collaborative residency at the public market with 4 other artists culminating in an exhibition.
CHAUTAUQUA SCHOOL OF VISUAL ARTS Chautauqua, NY. July-August 2015
Classes in drawing/painting/printmaking with visiting artists and independent studio work on the grounds of Chautauqua Institution.
Education
SUNY FREDONIA, Fredonia, NY
BFA Animation/Illustration 2013
Dean’s list 2009-2013, 2010 Dunkirk Council of Arts and Crafts award, 2013 Western NY representative for Naomi Winston arts scholarship, Served as Learning assistant in Life Drawing I & II, Cartooning internship