3x3 feet oil on Panel,
This was a commission for a fellow art student... I kinda dig it... shhhh.. she hasn't seen it yet!

                  

Consequence 2 oil on panel 4x3 feet

Consequences 3 oil on panel 4x3 feet

Passion and Pain oil on panel 4x4 feet

Just Taking a moment to explain what my work means to me!

I paint people.  I have spent my life obsessed with the figure and what the figure says about humanity.  From the thoughts of our minds to the appearance of our many faces, I am constantly intrigued by humanity.  When I look at people I see the layers of their flesh separate into layers of paint; the reflection in their eye becomes a battle for which white is whitest, and I imagine the deep layers that would create the under painting.   The aesthetic style that unfolds in one of my portraits is a result of everything I’ve learned prior and the moments of chance that I learn from.  I find that when I allow myself to disappear in the moment, the freedom from all unnecessary mental tangents allows for each piece to take form in the most honest way.  I often feel my thoughts are accompanied by a certain amount of shame.  When I choose to paint pieces that have an allegorical relevance to me, whether or not this is apparent to the viewer, I tend to free myself from the correlated shame I would otherwise feel when expressing something vulnerable.

I have always found a therapeutic state of mind through the process of painting.  The final products are simply the destination, while for me the most relevant moments occur during the process.  My work evolves into a final product through a series of therapeutic brush strokes.  In my most recent series I have used the process of painting to organize my mind and focus on who I truly am.

When I look for subjects to paint, I normally look for an honest beauty that effortlessly escapes.   Willie Nelson once wrote, “Don’t confuse caring for weakness, you can’t put that label on me, the truth is my weapon of mass protection and I believe truth sets you free.”   I search for truth and honesty in my paintings, and for me raw honesty is what makes me feel free.  I seek to keep the integrity of my subjects in tact while hoping to convey the vulnerabilities that seem to exist in all people.  My intention for my future work is to simply move forward with the same momentum in which I’ve progressed; always searching for new ways to depict the human form and always allowing each painting to become its own individual piece.

My Garden of Wonderland, a journey of self discovery

I originally began my senior thesis with the intention of creating a series of psychological portraits in which I interviewed my subjects.  In the attempt to get to know a variety of individuals for who they truly are, I was pushed in a direction of better understanding myself.  Leonardo Da Vinci once wrote “The acquisition of any knowledge whatever is always useful to the intellect, for nothing can be either loved or hated until it is first known.”  I believe in this statement, which led me to realize that without understanding myself, I couldn’t truly understand others.

 I have redirected my series into a journey of self-discovery through the process of painting.  The final pieces are simply the destination, while for me the most relevant moments occurred during the process.  I have always looked to painting as a form of therapy.  In the past my work has evolved into a final product through a series of therapeutic brush strokes.  In this series I have used the process of painting to slow down my mind and take the time to focus on who I truly am and to organize the chaos that lives in my mind. 

Through this journey I have learned how my relationships with others affect both myself and whoever else is involved.  I have learned how I love, and most importantly that whether I am at fault or where I err, these are undeniable parts of who I am and how my character is portrayed.  I have learned to accept and own my thoughts, and that where in the past I have attempted to change myself, I am now working towards changing myself back.  I am not perfect and my paintings are no different, this is who I am and what I do.

'Alice'

'Caterpillar'

'The Hare'

'White Rabbit' 

One of the pieces for my Thesis, still in progress, but close to finished...
The 2 below are also both part of the series... all are 4x3 feet oil on panel.. enjoy!!

The pieces in progress in my studio, almost done!!!!

Senior Thesis exhibition is coming up... have 3 more to finish.. this isn't yet done however, my artistic journey of self discovery is proving to be a good one.  Painting myself has always been a scary thing to think about, but I'm starting to like it a little too much... This is a close up of one of them, and a few more to come!

Senior Thesis Exhibition Works

This is a close up of the image posted, with a poor quality image in the last post.. This is Part of my Senior Thesis along with a few other portions i will continue to show tidbits, saving as much as possible to be revealed at the show...  My Thesis project is an emotional journey into my mind and how i connect with others in a process to better understand both myself and others...Hope those of you who are interested will trek to U of M campus for the show opening

The Exhibition will be open April 23- May 11, 2012

Opening Reception: April 26th, 4-6pm

Closing Reception: May 11, 4-6pm

University Center Gallery

University Center, 2nd floor room 227

The University of Montana

Missoula, MT 59812

Hours: M-F 10-4

This is the final product. Oil on Wood 4 x3 feet.  This piece shows a gentleman with an apple in his mouth.  The man, a friend who at one point considered more than that, has the apple held mid bite in his mouth.  Whether i put the apple there or he chose to bite it himself, is still debatable.  The point to this story, which has become part of a mini series. Is to replicate the idea of when Eve bit the apple in the garden of Eden.  While this discusses such a small part of the story, the idea that when Eve bit the apple is when the two noticed each others nudity, and became embarrassed and self conscious.  To replicate the nudity with vulnerability and the rest stays the same, it was at this moment when our relationship became something we recognized as vulnerable and began holding back.  What exactly caused this, I'm not sure however the demise of something that mattered to me led to this, and also led to the pieces that will complete this mini series.

While I must admit, there is a part of me that believes, diving this far into my own inner psychy may be a little much for even me.

This is the final product, I will eventually get some better photo's together as these don't really do the piece justice, however i was excited to show the final product... I may add to it, however for now, this is complete... it has an 8 foot wingspan and is my first attempt at working with concrete... so for that i'm proud.

This is a new sculpture I'm working on...in progress

This is a sculpture I've been working on it's concrete, wood, nails, wire and porcelain... based on the Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci, in his bestiary, he explains the Pelican as follows... This bears a great love to its young; and if it finds them slain in the nest by a serpent it pierces itself  to the heart in their presence, and by bathing them with a shower of blood it restores them to life"  there will be a red piece of satin coming from the chest holding three baby pelicans (seen below)... one dead (slain by the serpent), one waking up, and one completely alive..... This book has been a 'bible' of sort for me through my art work if for nothing else than to read the incredible words of such a brilliant artist...this story of the pelican for some reason stays with me which is why i chose to depict it here... my style choices were based on a contemporary/gothic theme based on the morbid but beautiful words that depict the Pelican... enjoy.. i will post a finished product soon