ARTIST STATEMENT
The beauty, mystery, and complexity of the human figure is the central idea of my concentration. I wanted to tackle its forms in order to challenge myself both technically and conceptually. I use layered color in bold hues to highlight subtle skin undertones, and strong light sources to create form with rich shadows. To push expressionism and rhythms, I manipulate the brush vigorously. As my series grows, I include un-human traits to generate a shock factor and set up a tension with the body.
I focus on the female figure in 1-2, using light and shadow to carve through the shapes and create more three dimensional form. In 3, space and environment arrive, setting up for a narrative. In 4, I start to gain confidence with my brush strokes, and selective color exaggerates the mood of the model and references her personality. Contrast pulls the figure out from the background, further constructing a narrative about the model and not just representing space. While color and contrast continue to be explored in 6, perspective begins to pull in the viewer and engage the audience. My strokes move from emphasizing mostly expression to a more geometric structure of value and form. More attention to detail and selecting focal points take on importance. After 6, I'm exaggerating viewpoints to force the viewer’s interaction, while my color mixing increases in complexity and layering. Color as value defines form through intense layered hues, while the brushstroke technically grows in expression and structure . In pieces 8-12 non-human features are introduced as a way to push a story inspired by science fiction, and set up a friction between reality and fantasy. As the refinement, depth, and perspective in 12 become more proficient, the work evolves from an assignment to a personal exploration, giving a confident voice to my soul.