STATEMENT
When working in my primary mediums, powder charcoal with gold leaf, I am focused on exploring the idea of sacredness. The sensation of chiaroscuro, of magic, of iconography, and the divine, are central ideas to me when I begin a work. By using powder charcoal, I erase the dust and watch the figures and forms emerge on my paper just like magic. After the charcoal stage is complete, I gild each piece with 23 karat gold leaf to adorn halos and the atmosphere. Each piece is meant to make the viewer feel like they are standing in front of a sacred object, both calm and awe-inspiring. As I continue to develop within this medium, I have begun to add more detail creating a visual exploration for the viewer to become lost within.
In regard to my other studio artworks, if working in oil-paint or watercolor, I am heavily inspired by nature and sound. I implore the viewer to enter and experience a dreamy landscape or colorful abstraction through the fluidity of saturated mixing colors or playful line work. I have synesthesia which allows me to experience seeing color(s) when hearing music and certain sounds. This ability influences both my abstract paintings and colorful landscapes that are meant for the viewer to experience my world and enter their own orchestra of colors and an indulgence of their senses.
EDUCATION
2020 Bachelor of Fine Arts, Pictorial Arts, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2020 Double Minors in Graphic Design & Art History and Visual Culture, San Jose State University, San Jose, CA
2020 San Diego State University World Campus, Course Study of Weddings and Social Events
2019-20 Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, Course study of Art Restoration & Painting, taught in Italian, Florence, Italy
2019-20 California State University of Firenze, Florence, Italy
CERTIFICATES
2022 Advanced Specialization in Printmaking, Fondazione Il Bisonte, Florence, Italy
WORK EXPERIENCE
2020-21 Gallery Teacher, San José Museum of Art, San Jose, CA
2021 Group Exhibition, XIII Florence Biennale, Eternal Feminine | Eternal Change, Fortezza da Basso, 23 -31 Oct, Florence, IT
2021 Group Exhibition, Holding the Moment, Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport, 22 March - 24 April, San Jose, CA
2020-21 Group Exhibition, On the Edge, The de Young Open, The de Young Museum, 10 Oct 2020 - 3 Jan 2021, San Francisco, CA
2020 Solo Exhibition, Emergence: Coming into Being, Virtual Gallery: Kuntsmatrix, 18 May - 18 June, San Jose State University, CA
2019 Group Exhibition, Print Symposium, Gallery 8, 30 April - 6 May, San Jose State University, CA
2017 Group Exhibition, Honoring Watercolor Masters, Beethoven Center, 8 April - 11 July, SJSU MLK Jr. Library, San Jose, CA
AWARDS
2020 Cum Laude Graduate of San Jose State University
2020 Randall Sadler Scholarship
2020 Robert Griffith Scholarship Fund
2019 County of Santa Clara / Florence, Italy Sister County Commission Study Aboard Scholarship
2019 Study Abroad Program (FLP) with Dr. Josine Smits, 18th Century French Art History, San Jose State University, Paris, France
2018 Dean's Scholar, San Jose State University, CA
2010 Los Angeles Public Library bookmark designer, Los Angeles, CA
AFFILIATIONS
2021 Artist Mentorship with Brad Kunkle & special guest Steve Diamant, Director of Arcadia Contemporary Gallery (15 weeks)
2021 Artist workshop with Annie-Murphy Robinson, Charcoal Sanding Technique (8 weeks)
2020 Photographer for student events at California State Univeristy of Firenze, Florence, Italy
2019 Partnership with Bloomster's Florist for the evaluation, procurement, and sale of prints and artworks, San Jose, CA
2019 Bay Area Printer's Fair: Wazygoose, History Park, April 27th, San Jose, CA
2019 San Jose State University Fresh Pressed Printmaking Guild
2018-20 Course study of Italian Language, Saratoga, CA
2016-19 San Jose State University Dirty Brushes Painter's Guild
2014-19 San Jose State University Ceramic Guild
CATALOGUES
XIII Florence Biennale. Eternal Feminine | Eternal Change. Rubbettino Editore: Soveria Mannelli, Italy, 2021.