ARTIST'S STATEMENT

Growing up, I paid close attention to what I perceived to be contradictions in the world and of life in general- specifically, my perception of contradictory landscapes. My own home region was an often-contradictory landscape of aging industrial furniture and textile plants set against the bucolic Blue Ridge Mountains. Most of these sprawling dark brick structures seemed oddly out of place. The contrast between the natural and man-made landscape of the region became more severe as many of these abandoned sites began to show the stains and tarnish of neglect. At dusk, the aging structures looked mute, sinister- silhouetted smoke stacks grasping at the orange and pink sky. These buildings became a reminder of the fragility and vulnerability of any existence to the possibility of irrelevance or demise over time. In contrast to the fatalistic reminders brought forth by the decaying industrial sites, the mountains on the horizon beamed with a feeling of majesty, optimism and rebirth. This combination of both mortality and optimism became to me, a poetic reminder of all human existence.

As an adult, I began to appreciate, if not tolerate contradiction as a part of life, and resign myself to the realities of incongruence. I learned to enjoy the capacity to dream at night and submit myself to an experience that dares to be rationalized. Over time, I have begun to view absurdity as potentially playful and fun. My work deals with all or some of the components mentioned above; landscape, memory, contradiction, oddity, uncertainty, and narrative.

My work begins as photographs. The content for my work derives from my own photos of people and places I encounter and find particularly interesting. From there, the manipulation of the photograph and the stripping of the original context and content become an experience less objective and a narrative that is more elusive- a dreamscape. The photographic elements remain as I use digital processes, transfers, screen-printing techniques, and apply acrylic paint to the work. I often embellish the contrast of the photographic elements and use colors that are unnatural to the original.

Some of my pieces have clearer narratives than others. Dreams are very similar. Some of my dreams have linear plot lines or reveal clear parallels to my day-to-day life. Other dreams are collages of vague familiarities that come crashing together with no real logical reason or purpose- images act as disparate symbols to be deciphered.

As far as fine art influences go, I admire the work of the Surrealists, the dada movement, and the Pop artists. Graphic design has shaped my work the most. I am particularly fond of music concert posters. I love vinyl record cover art.

I live in Atlanta's Midtown. I am an adjunct instructor of art and graphic design at several area colleges. I also work as a freelance artist and designer. My current favorite color is blue-green.