Artist statement.
I use Appalachian traditions (quilting, storytelling) and values (like saving and repurposing) as inspiration to comment on our modern existence. I find their intersection of practicality and adornment interesting. I am also inspired by incongruous juxtapositions, like the idea of using trash to make fine art. There is something subversive and gratifying in taking something that no one wants and exalting it to something collected and exhibited. I am obsessed with ephemera; I appreciate the beauty of something that was once useful and now is not. The act of saving it is useless, until some undetermined and unforeseen moment when it becomes invaluable.
Most of my media is found materials which consist of paper, paint, ink, pencil, thread, and fabric. I mostly use common, often discarded, items to create my work. I use what I have to communicate the strange, triumphant, beautiful, and tragic things that I observe and experience in my daily life. I try to express, through my figures, the sadness and confidence that comes from the depth gained from thoughtfulness. My process often begins with practical choices like composition and design, and then quickly yields to subconscious thought. After a series of impulsive, capricious and reckless choices, I revert back to an orderly state, where I arrange and edit in an effort to tell a short visual story.
Most of my media is found materials which consist of paper, paint, ink, pencil, thread, and fabric. I mostly use common, often discarded, items to create my work. I use what I have to communicate the strange, triumphant, beautiful, and tragic things that I observe and experience in my daily life. I try to express, through my figures, the sadness and confidence that comes from the depth gained from thoughtfulness. My process often begins with practical choices like composition and design, and then quickly yields to subconscious thought. After a series of impulsive, capricious and reckless choices, I revert back to an orderly state, where I arrange and edit in an effort to tell a short visual story.
Some of my works.
More works.
Recent exhibitions.
Hindsight is 2020 | Group Exhibition
David L. Dickirson Art Gallery, Tamarack - Beckley, WV
2021
The Still Life | Online Group Exhibition
Presented by the Dan & Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery, Beckley Art Center - Beckley, WV
2020
Critters & Hollers | Group Exhibition
David L. Dickirson Art Gallery, Tamarack - Beckley, WV
2020
Fine Discarded Matter | Solo Exhibition
Apartment Earth - Charleston, WV
2019
Rare Night Birds & Other Poor Traits | Solo Exhibition
Holler: Contemporary Appalachian Art Gallery - Princeton, WV
2019
Figures | Solo Exhibition
The Grove - Fayetteville, WV
2019
Member’s Exhibition | Group Exhibition
Dan & Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery - Beckley, WV
2019
WV Invitational Exhibition | Group Exhibition
Juliet Art Museum - Charleston, WV
2019
Man/Woman/Person: Expressions of Gender | Group Exhibition
Sir Walters Tavern - Beckley, WV
2018
Autumn In Appalachia | Group Exhibition
Dan and Cynthia Bickey Gallery - Beckley, WV
2018
Apartment Earth 3rd Annual Juried Exhibition | Juried Exhibition
Apartment Earth Gallery - Charleston, WV
2018
Paint the Town Red | Group Exhibition
Dan and Cynthia Bickey Gallery - Beckley, WV
2018
David L. Dickirson Art Gallery, Tamarack - Beckley, WV
2021
The Still Life | Online Group Exhibition
Presented by the Dan & Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery, Beckley Art Center - Beckley, WV
2020
Critters & Hollers | Group Exhibition
David L. Dickirson Art Gallery, Tamarack - Beckley, WV
2020
Fine Discarded Matter | Solo Exhibition
Apartment Earth - Charleston, WV
2019
Rare Night Birds & Other Poor Traits | Solo Exhibition
Holler: Contemporary Appalachian Art Gallery - Princeton, WV
2019
Figures | Solo Exhibition
The Grove - Fayetteville, WV
2019
Member’s Exhibition | Group Exhibition
Dan & Cynthia Bickey Art Gallery - Beckley, WV
2019
WV Invitational Exhibition | Group Exhibition
Juliet Art Museum - Charleston, WV
2019
Man/Woman/Person: Expressions of Gender | Group Exhibition
Sir Walters Tavern - Beckley, WV
2018
Autumn In Appalachia | Group Exhibition
Dan and Cynthia Bickey Gallery - Beckley, WV
2018
Apartment Earth 3rd Annual Juried Exhibition | Juried Exhibition
Apartment Earth Gallery - Charleston, WV
2018
Paint the Town Red | Group Exhibition
Dan and Cynthia Bickey Gallery - Beckley, WV
2018