purpose

A common thread ties women throughout history together and this cohesion has been the source of my inspiration. In a world where so many things are relative and society focuses on individualism, I like to see how broader histories can still speak about present conditions. I am currently focusing on women from the Bible in my paintings and how I can relate to part of their journey. Many of these women had been condemned by society because of their poverty, disease, gender or promiscuity, but were recorded because of their sensitive strong spirits, willing hearts, and their ability to love.

I focus on which part of the figure can best express the desired characteristic they exemplify- a hand desperately reaching for something lost, and deceitful turn of the wrist, a seductive glance, or a reluctant tilt of the neck. The collaged ambiguous environments give the viewer hints to the story. The layers speak of the complex nature of human experience and our connectedness through time.

In each painting, the women are exposed in their abandonment, guilt, doubt, or insecurity but seem comfortable in their journey as historical figures that lead captivating lives. Their experiences gave them wisdom and a tremendous understanding of pain. Women today feel the same desire to play the lead role in their story and fill it with not only playful elegance, but also to be daring and compassionate when it is severely needed. Women from the past can remind us to be willing give to others even when we feel empty, the boldness to reach out of our isolation when we know we need help, and that it is okay to be vulnerable when we need to spill out everything we have been holding inside. They embody beauty in their surrender, courage, desperation, and vulnerability.

I graduated in December 2007 from Memphis College of Art with a Bachelor of Fine Arts with an emphasis on Painting. I grew up in Texarkana, Texas and now am a full time artist in Brentwood, Tennessee. My paintings were published in the 30 Day Worship Journal in the student Bible Study book Wired for a Life of Worship by Louie Giglio in 2006. My work is also featured on the cover of the second edition of the book The Air I Breathe by Louie Giglio, which was also published in 2006. The Relevant Store represented me as an independent artist and limited edition prints of my work were available for a year. One of these paintings was displayed in an ad in Relevant Magazine, which covers God, life, and progressive culture in November 2007 and again in July 2008. Two of my paintings were published in the 2007 winter issue, Epiphany, in the magazine RUMINATE; faith in literature and art.

Since moving to Nashville, I was in a juried art exhibit Works with Words at the Nashville Public Library, which was reviewed in the Tennessean and the Nashville Scene. I joined the Untitled Artist Group and have since been a part of 3 of their shows, Multiple Origami in June, and Glow in July, and The Abominable Art Show in December. My piece “Holding It Together” was featured as the Critic’s Pick in the Nashville Scene in June 2008. In November 2008, I was featured in a solo show Beneath The Surface at The Stirring Gallery in Memphis, TN which was covered in the Memphis Flyer, The Germantown News, and The Shelby Sun Times. The School Arts Magazine released a two-page interview style article written by Nicole Brisco titled “The Art of Awakening” in December 2008 featuring 2 pictures of my process sketchbooks. I am currently a working artist full time and teaching in the Community Ed Department at Watkins College of Art and Design.