artist statement

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In order to understand the adults I was surrounded by as an only child, I absorbed everything I could from them. What stuck with me the most were their stories. There was always a playfulness to what they told me no matter how serious or mundane the events or characters involved. These humorous depictions of my family and their experiences matched the images I saw in my childhood picture books, where animals came to life and the idiosyncrasies of being human were highlighted. This way of seeing and experiencing the world influences the way I explore telling my visual narratives. 

Through the use of quirky people, whimsical creatures, and double meanings I explore telling unique stories that celebrate the complexity of life. It is my intention to show similarities in the life experiences and understanding of what it is to be human. Don’t take people’s stories at face value. Read between the lines. Dig deeper. Nothing is as simple or clear as it is stated. Use your own experiences to uncover hidden truths and discover commonalities.

Through textiles, colors, patterns, textures, and the illustrative line I bring my characters to life. A combination of recycled fabrics together with hand and free motion embroidery goes into the creation of each character, ensuring evidence of my hand remains visible in each piece. Text is added to help set the scene and provide a hint of the story. Taking things out of their original context, and combining them in a new way allows me to create a narrative unique to each piece.