My body of work explores themes connected to nature, psychedelia, color theory, and creatures intersecting in the realm of the surreal. Process drives my work in the beginning stages, allowing for instinct and play to lead the way. To complete these pieces I flesh out the narrative of this world, and oftentimes add a companion who navigates them.
The initial step of my painterly work is to start on a small scale. These works are not sketched out or pre planned, but rather are activated by decalcomania, a transfer technique known to be used by Surrealists to create imagery based on chance rather than conscious control. The spontaneous textures that emerge become the foundation as the piece begins to ungulate and morph. I refine these patterns by drawing inspiration from macro and micro instances in nature, such as a mountain range, patterns on fish, or forms in bacteria. There comes a point in the painting process where I may be inspired to add an inhabitant to the piece. They may be a mythical creature, a chimera, or an animal with human-like qualities. I embrace maximalism in these paintings.
In my murals/large scale paintings, I shift to collage techniques. I gather images of my smaller works and begin digitally manipulating elements to create new, engulfing compositions. Murals, in particular, allow me to create these introspective pieces into immersive worlds for the public to explore.