Artist Statement

My composition usually involves a ribbon meant to symbolize the connections that we

create with other people. The ribbons are a personification of a living relationship. The bulk of
my inspiration is the relationships I experience myself and how I feel reflecting on them. How do
we have an effect on each other after the fact, what kind of bond is defined through the time we
spend with one another? This is the defining question that I try to embody in each of my works.
The media I work in is usually a type of printmaking relief technique. My favorite is a
linocut reduction. I prefer battleship grey linoleum over wood because of its ease of cutting and
consistency. Moving on to my composition, it involves a ribbon and its position depends on what
idea I am trying to communicate. Using the flowing motion that comes naturally to ribbons, I
build references for all of my prints to make sure I can accurately capture its details. Giving the
ribbons that realistic movement is an important part of my work and it's always significant to the
concept of the work. Using the body language of the ribbon, I try to communicate ideas of
health, forced speed, and even self-created relationships. Relief style printmaking is a good
vector for this set of works because I think it adds to the idea of the relationship. Each cut is like
an action taken in a real-world connection. Little gestures add to a relationship and, like relief,
can reveal something unique when you’re done. This can also be said with the unique nature of
prints, over time plates degrade and your image changes. It’s not wrong just different, and
unique from others in the set. So while they are similar, they are not the same. It’s a unique
aspect that’s often overlooked in a “reproducible” image.
My influences are a big part of my work. I aspire to be as good of a storyteller as
Photographer Anna Gaskell. I especially enjoyed her Wonder series and how she tells a story
through only images. I also like the hard-hitting imagery of Printmaker Francisco Goya. His
artwork critiqued society during difficult times, from war to condemning society’s actions. His
work showed me that commentary is a major part of art history and always will be. Then I have
my own personal experiences, from moving to different places and meeting people and what I
personally value. Using these ideas I want to push my artwork forward and better communicate
my concepts.