Artist Statement

I am both an artist and a seeker, and it is at the heart of their intertwining that my work is defined. I am a product of the woodlands of quirky New England, where my curious siblings and I forged paths through the eerie beauty of the forest, looking for adventures, fully immersed in our imaginations. Experiences were sensual—rolling in pungent autumn leaves, scaling up the rough branches of hemlock trees, molding bowls from sticky natural clay or building entire snow families after an enchanting January blizzard. As an artist with a love for the sensual, I often choose to work in media that requires one to practically "wear" it, smeared on my face and hands, such as graphite, pastels, or clay. I also am drawn to watercolor for its inherent light-reflective and spontaneous quality. As a seeker, my imagination insists on infusing my work with meaning, often reminding me to lighten up, balancing the darker trials and lessons of life with an optimistic sense of possibility and playfulness.

My process begins with a mental image that is continuously evolving. I am compelled to make a connection between the image and the emotion it evokes, ranging anywhere from gloom and trepidation to curiosity and elation. Then, as I enter a space of creative flowing there is a mental shift, as the piece seems to take on a life of its own. Two-dimensional pieces often have an emphasis on dynamic linear energy, while three-dimensional works focus on softly rounded forms. Color choice is vital, but is only decided upon when the structure of the piece is strong. It is the finishing touch, like the top hat on "Frosty the Snowman," that brings the piece to life.

My ultimate purpose, however, is to create connections with my viewers. I like them to feel that they are perhaps being observed, just as much as they are being the observer, as my creations peer back at them. I invite them to come forward and enter a world where there is union between the old soul and the young heart, like a grandfather at play with his young granddaughter. It is a place where feelings are validated, and where one remembers that it is okay to play, essential in fact, if for just a moment.

Seniors: Katelyn Atkins • Sonja Avena • Rachael Hall • Haley Hargett • Jennifer Leiner • Kelley Loconte • Amber McClure • Abby Overman • Alecia Overton • Jennifer Watson • Krista Way