Bio
Artist Statement
My work portrays the ambiguity of memory and the affects that conflict can have on a person’s perception of an experience; as well as expressing a longing for security and safety. The duality between abstract and representational aspects of my work evoke a sense of memory or a distant faded dream. I feel connected with ravens because in my family crest, ravens represent wisdom and patience. In other situations however, they can represent fear of the unknown and death.
I investigate the duality between the emotive and the analytical with the raven. At times it is an empathetic spectacle thrown into chaos. Other times the raven spectates the world around it. The raven is either in a moment of fear or it is observing and reflecting on those moments. There are times when the fate of the raven is unknown, and there is a strong desire to understand the future and to try to find a sense of stability.
My body of work represents how memory is tricky and difficult to attain when the fine details slip away. At times, all that is left are fragmented pieces that need to be stitched back together to create a conversation in an effort to try and understand the future.
Education
2021 MFA- James Madison University, Studio Art- Expected Graduation 2024
2019 BFA- Radford University, Studio Art- Concentration in Drawing
Summa Cum Laude
Exhibitions and Events
2021
- 2021 National Juried Show at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA. Juror’s Choice Award for the piece "Keep a Weather Eye"
2020
- 2020 National Juried Show at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA. Juror’s Choice Award for the piece “Trick of the Light”
- Selected to participate in the New Voice Show at the Floyd Center for the Arts in Floyd, VA.
- Featured Artist for the months of July and August at Jessie Peterman Memorial Library, Floyd, VA.
- Selected to participate in the Art Appalachia 2020 Juried show at the Floyd Center for the Arts.
2019
- 2019 National Juried Show at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA. Awarded 2nd Place for the piece “To the Right”
- Gallery representation at the Maggie Gallery in Floyd, VA
- 2019 Student Juried Show at Radford University. Won “Award of Merit” for piece “Desperate Wonder”
- Pieces featured in the Annual Radford University Drawing Show
- Pieces featured in the Annual Radford University Jewelry and Metalworking Show
- Pieces featured in the Annual Radford University Ceramics Show
- Made bowls for the “Empty Bowls” event in Floyd County
- Made bowls for the “Rice and Beans” event in Radford, VA
2018
- Assisted and gave lectures to art classes at Radford University
- Made bowls for the “Empty Bowls” event in Floyd, VA
- Made bowls for the “Rice and Beans” event in Radford, VA
- Pieces featured in the Annual Radford University Drawing Show
2017
- Pieces featured in the Annual Radford University Drawing Show
- Novelty Fun Pack at Pratt University Spring 2017
2016
- Held Visiting Artist Exhibit in the Floyd Artist Association for the month of October, 2016.
2015
- Juried Biennial Student Art Exhibit at Virginia Tech Fall 2015
- Multiple pieces of art selected to be hung in the Jacksonville Center and School Board Office in Floyd, VA
- Assisted and gave lectures to art classes at Floyd County High School
Awards
- 2021 National Juried Show at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA. Juror’s Choice Award for the piece "Keep a Weather Eye"
- 2020 National Juried Show at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA. Juror’s Choice Award for the piece “Trick of the Light”
- Selected for the New Voice Show 2020 at the Floyd Center for the Arts in Floyd, VA.
- 2019 National Juried Show at the Academy Center of the Arts in Lynchburg, VA. Won 2nd Place Award for piece “To the Right”
- Awarded the “Sword of Honor” from the Eta Upsilon Chapter of Sigma Alpha Iota 2019
- 2019 Student Juried Show at Radford University and won “Award of Merit” for piece “Desperate Wonder”
- Received Radford University Art Department Scholarship for 2017-2019 School Years
- Received Hollingsworth and Vose Scholarship for 2015-2016 School Year
- Juried Biennial Student Art Exhibit at Virginia Tech Fall 2015 “Honorable Mention” for “Study of Photo ‘Orville Lookinghorse’ by Marty Stuart”