Artist Statement

I am very much inspired by the works of the German Expressionists and contemporary portraiture. My personal challenge is to combine architectural abstraction with highly representative, yet stylized concepts in order to successfully create a cohesive composition. Much of my work focuses on the many, and often forgotten, atrocities of the Jewish Holocaust. In my studies, I have developed an almost obsessive desire to illustrate these events in the form of oil paintings. My desire is to educate the general public about less well known events so they will never be forgotten.

In conjunction with my Holocaust series, I have been inspired by current events to create portraits. Over the years, portraiture in the form of painting has been on the decline. The recent trend of portrait photography certainly has value with the advance of technology and its cost effectiveness. However, in my opinion, nothing can compare to the value and longevity of an oil portrait. I feel that portraiture as well as portrayals of historical events must to go beyond the mere physical depiction of an individual or event. I have found that the most compelling paintings stand out when there is an understanding of an individual or concept. In my work, I like to offer a sense of classical oil painting with my own unique and modern flair.

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