ARTIST Mission Statement

Many artists are shaped by their personal triumphs in overcoming challenges. The reason I create art at all is because of the challenges it presents; sometimes it can be a new medium I’m trying to learn or figuring my way through - and completing - a long and difficult project. I grew up in a religious household and I found that art was also a way to rebel and challenge that way of thinking without disappointing my parents. Whatever the artistic challenge I face I try my best to overcome it or learn from it.

I also grew up around science-fiction films, comic book heroes, video games, and many other aspects of popular culture that tend to fall under the general term of “nerd culture”. Many of my artwork is inspired by this “nerd culture” such as comic books and sci-fi. I particularly gravitate toward the works of Todd McFarland and Brock Hofer who both create using high detail and super-saturated colors. Many of their works use methods like cross-hatching and use media and methods comparable to India ink, along with physical media such as India ink and graphite. I do enjoy digital media because many other media I tried to get into, such as painting and charcoal, are rather difficult to control. In digital media, however, you can set aside your worry about technique. (I don’t know that you necessarily want to say it this way as digital art has its own set of techniques you have to get accustomed to. I’d say something about the ease of switching between techniques or about putting together new images with pieces of people’s old images).

This allows me to have the freedom to basically make the artwork in digital media however I want. I really enjoy not being restricted in specific techniques and the same can be said about a career in art. Owning a business allows me the creative freedom to create the artwork I want without feeling restricted by anything else.