I have taken sculpture and digital art classes as part of my IVA curriculum, but have mainly focused on painting in the last year. I work primarily in charcoal and oil paint because I enjoy the flexibility of the mediums. As a double major in Environmental Studies, I am interested in how humans interact with the environment. In my paintings I explore the spaces they pass through, inhabit, or change, often gravitating toward urban areas where there is limited green space. Human creations are often seen to be at odds with natural ones. By examining these interactions, I hope to where they push and pull or coexist. Additionally, the locations I enjoy exploring in my work are areas that will likely see development in the next 10 years. How people perceive the environment and the spaces around them are impacted by this rapid change over time. I have always known the areas I have lived to be in constant development. Someone older or younger will have a much different starting point for their perception. This concept is something I hope to dig into in future studies. My work prior to this was largely still-lives using traditional observation, but for my recent pieces I’ve been doing quicker studies using memory and images.

I am born and raised in Woodinville, Washington. I have always loved the nature Washington has to offer, spending a lot of time camping and hiking over the years. The area I grew up in was largely suburban. I rarely had a chance to visit Seattle, but since moving here for school I have come to love the city. I went to a STEM focused high school where art was not in the picture for me outside of a graphic design class. Since deciding to more seriously pursue art at University of Washington, I have been lucky to learn from Erin Meyer, Larry Huang, Ryan Weatherly, Ann Gale, Dan Paz, Michael Swaine, David Brody, Tivon Rice, James Coupe, Philip Govedare, and Helen O’Toole.