Artist Statement
From the beginning, my work revolved around a variety of portraits, exploring the relationship between humans and animals by combining the two together, as well as focusing on each of them separately. Slowly my concentration evolved into combining humans and animals together to create an entirely new image, based on pop culture – in terms of music, food, movies, popular beliefs etc. This is where my artwork started to develop and lean towards more of a pop art style. My colors became a lot bolder and brighter, and I was beginning to add text to some of my pieces. Most of my work is also about expression. Recently I have done a few self-portraits bringing out emotions, and feelings through the use of color and distortion.
I have also been learning make up, transferring my skills as an artist onto a live canvas. A few of my more recent pieces have combined make up and art together. I have started to recreate some of the makeup of some of the major pop icons such as Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn, further making it my own through the use of photography and digital media.
Using makeup, I can also project pop imagery to further enhance expressions I may want to portray in my pieces.
A major source of inspiration for me is the photographer William Wegman. He photographs his own dogs in a very human way and his work has given me a lot of ideas. Another artist that has influenced me is Andy Warhol. His bold, blocky yet simple technique is one I love to work from. Recently I have come to be inspired by the expressionist portraits done by Francoise Neilly. The way in which she uses color to intensify expressions, and evoke emotions is something I have learned a lot from. Usually, I tend to work in a large scale – often larger than myself! Up until now I have used acrylic paints, oil pastels, dry pastels, graphite pencils, charcoal, and digital media for my artwork.
I have also been learning make up, transferring my skills as an artist onto a live canvas. A few of my more recent pieces have combined make up and art together. I have started to recreate some of the makeup of some of the major pop icons such as Marilyn Monroe, and Audrey Hepburn, further making it my own through the use of photography and digital media.
Using makeup, I can also project pop imagery to further enhance expressions I may want to portray in my pieces.
A major source of inspiration for me is the photographer William Wegman. He photographs his own dogs in a very human way and his work has given me a lot of ideas. Another artist that has influenced me is Andy Warhol. His bold, blocky yet simple technique is one I love to work from. Recently I have come to be inspired by the expressionist portraits done by Francoise Neilly. The way in which she uses color to intensify expressions, and evoke emotions is something I have learned a lot from. Usually, I tend to work in a large scale – often larger than myself! Up until now I have used acrylic paints, oil pastels, dry pastels, graphite pencils, charcoal, and digital media for my artwork.