Artist Statement

My sustained investigation focuses on anatomy and the correlation between the internal and external parts of the body. My intention with my work was to create a portfolio of pieces that correspond to each other, but do not rely on each other. I wanted my pieces to be strong on their own and even stronger as a whole. My guiding question was: “how do I connect the typically gory internal and external body while still making my work beautiful?” Although the topic of anatomy can be gory, I attempted to show the beauty of the body rather than the gore. For a majority of my pieces, I used paint, specifically, oil paint, but I also experimented with mediums that I do not often use like watercolor, gouache, colored pencils, and pens. I used oil paint for my more structured pieces, but used watercolor, pencils, acrylic paint, and other mediums to create pieces that are more disorganized and unrestricted. I even found ways to create different layers and compositions by layering other materials on top (like plexiglass), cutting out pieces of my works, and using multiple canvases/paper for the same pieces. While working on my portfolio, I was given the opportunity to create a mural based loosely off of my investigation which impacted not only my skills but the view I have of my own art. Artistically, I have always been drawn to the complexities of the body and how beautiful the intricacies of the human body truly are. I am glad I chose to investigate the body through my art because I now feel a greater appreciation for how my body works and how beautiful it is both internally and externally.