Artist Statement

Over the past year I have been building upon the idea of body image and the effect that it can have on self-esteem and health. I started mainly focusing on the "ideal" as presented by the media and evolved into dealing with eating disorders and the harsh effects that body image can have on oneself.

As my feelings towards my body and the idea of the "ideal" shifted, I began to struggle with what I was trying to get across. I wanted to have people see that they need to be happy with who they were and how they looked, but as I became unhappy with how I looked and felt- I could not produce happy images.

My struggle with my subject matter and my struggle with being an artist as well- turned me to a different path. If I was going to be stuck- I should make sure that I was making things that simply made me happy. I no longer wanted to think about art- no longer wanted to focus on the meaning behind my work. I didn't want to share anymore-

I am no focusing on color and texture- and abscureing the image. Making a raspberry appear to be an inner human organ. The free forms- the large brush strokes. the looseness of the organic.

Outside of painting- I am putting together my "happy place" -- As someone who misses her hometown constantly, I thought that working with images of my home would help me get through my struggle. I have pieced together some of my favorite places- to produce a new place. The first of something I think I might continue to pursue- is being done in crayon on a litho stone.