Statement
My works come from a place of modernity but with a strong nod to art deco, art nouveau and 40’s and 50’s illustration. The work has a distinctive vintage feel, crafted using brush and traditional methods as well as modern techniques when appropriate.
Influences include artists such as Henri Rousseau and decorative styles such as 18th century chinoiserie. I am interested in pattern, the creation of movement, and working with existing architecture in unique and unexpected ways. I have a particular interest in depicting sea life, flora and fauna. As I have lived in a variety of cities, I pull inspiration from the plant and animal life of these regions. My color schemes tend toward muted and ethereal tones but can also jump to graphic saturation depending on the design and needs of the client. I create scenes that read laterally in flattened space, and others that depict dimension and atmosphere. I am a versatile artist with a wide breadth of experience.
I have a firm understanding of composition, color theory, scale, and design. I also have the experience to be able to problem solve and think on my feet, adapting to a variety of situations artists come across on-site while creating a mural. I approach my murals with my background in fine art, printmaking and painting, and execute with the energy of the Do It Yourself ethos I grew up with.
Artist Bio
I am a muralist, printmaker, illustrator and working-class artist. I was born in Portland, Oregon and raised in the Pacific Northwest where I trained in classical oil painting. I moved at eighteen years of age to pursue my Bachelors of Fine Arts at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, where I became enamored with printmaking and its accessibility. After receiving my BFA, I moved back to Portland where I was an instructor creating new methods of combining printmaking and painterly approaches to kiln-glass working. Teaching these techniques took me all over the country, including teaching at Penland School of Crafts and studios in Australia. I have shown work nationally at galleries and fairs such as SOFA Chicago.
In 2016, I decided to return to academia and earn my Masters, moving across the country to study at the Rhode Island school of Design. There, my artistic focus shifted more fully to community and activist based work. My journey then landed me in Los Angeles where I was given my first opportunity to create murals. I fell in love with the scale, the challenge, the connection to community, and the ability to make outside of gallery walls. I completed numerous pieces in Los Angeles. In 2022, I was offered a year-long project in Rancho Mirage, California. I worked as lead artist, designing and executing murals, hand-crafting signage, menus and logos, and managing teams of painters.
Collaboration is of paramount importance to my work. From the first meeting to the last brush stroke, the larger vision of the project is always considered. I have experience working with large teams and small, and I can execute projects on a deadline and within a budget. I also have a strong background in adobe programs and have designed logos, menus and advertisements.
My education, communication abilities and life-experience ensure smooth development, execution and completion. I am ecstatic to be back in my hometown and recently completed my first collaborative mural in Portland. I look forward to working on both community and commercial projects in the future.