Artist Statement / Bio

I am  a multidisciplinary artist based in Chicago. I create oil and acrylic paintings, drawings, and sculptures. I often incorporate welding, photography, marksmanship, and performance into my work. My  practice operates within a framework of critical patriotism; examining the complexities of the American experience while striving to understand cultural differences and uncover common ground. I am heavily influenced by my rural upbringing in Arkansas and time spent working alongside my father. I contrast these early bucolic experiences with my urban adult life in order to explore contradictions within the American cultural landscape.

My practice is labor intensive, often focusing on the skill and craft of working class communities. I confront challenging topics, embedded in American history, which examine ideas of liberty and democracy. 

Always mindful of the violent history of stolen native lands and the brutal legacy of slave labor, I maintain that the success and betterment of a country can be achieved through the critical examination of its flaws and inconsistencies. My aim is to create approachable, optimistic work that looks toward a hopeful future for America. 

I have a Bachelor of Social Work Degree and a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree from the University of Illinois Chicago. I am a current MFA candidate at Vermont College of Fine Arts in collaboration with CalArts.  Anticipated graduation date - July 2027.