artist statement

Through painting, I am exploring the shifting nature of relationships, lived experiences, and identity. The core of these concepts is connection; how do I relate to others, to specific moments in time, or to particular places? Or what if I don’t? These kinds of questions are what guide me in every aspect of how I paint. I see my work as reflections, a way to try to make some sense of the world.

Growing up, I moved frequently between Minnesota and California, never staying in one place for long. This constant movement shaped my sense of place and belonging, themes that continue to surface in my work. My cultural background also plays a significant role—I am a tribal member of the San Luis Rey Band of Luiseño from Oceanside, California, and also of Scandinavian, Irish, and Mexican descent. Across all aspects of my heritage, storytelling is deeply valued, and I see painting as my way of participating in that tradition.

My oil paintings are rooted in process. I work in layers, blocking out areas with tape before re-entering the piece with brushes, squeegees, and palette knives—repeating this process as many times as necessary. The result is a sense of movement, of ever- changing conditions that evolve over time. My experience with synesthesia strongly informs my visual language; I don’t just hear sound—I see it. The way music, voices, and even places themselves sound directly impacts the textures and forms in my work. Through these techniques, I aim to invoke curiosity in the viewer, encouraging them to move through the piece and uncover its complexities.

A wide range of artists have influenced the way I create work. Gerhard Richter’s responsiveness to motion and ability to capture a fleeting moment, Richard Diebenkorn’s approach to composition and constant reworking, Georgia O’Keeffe’s poetic rendering of natural elements, and Julie Mehretu’s use of mapping to observe the world all have had massive impacts on my practice.

After coming back from a year long break in San Francisco, where I immersed myself in writing and the art scene as much as possible, I’ve returned to MCAD with a renewed sense of purpose. My work has naturally evolved to where it is now, aligning more deeply with the themes of connection and disconnection. As I move forward, I am committed to making paintings that hold true substance, both visually and conceptually, while continuing to explore these topics.