I got my start as an artist in rural West Virginia. Before attending Marshall University, I grew up on a self sustaining farm where we worked and lived. I didn’t have the privilege of obtaining an education until my eight grade year of school, when I attended a public school for the first time and began my journey that lead me to a college degree. Before college, before school, I had a knack for using unconventional materials gathered from my farm, such as fur, sticks, flowers and rocks to create artwork, both representational and functional. This later evolved into the use of fibers, and other found objects that were routinely incorporated into my work. So, growing up poor, deeply religious and Appalachian pushed me towards the artwork that I create today. In my work, themes such as intimacy, a sense of community, personal spirituality and eroticism then evolved and shifted over time into what is represented in my work. 

Intimacy-erotic, platonic and communal- is the main driving force of the work that I create. My experience as a child in the Apostolic Church, deprived me of platonic and safe communal intimacy. Though community is strong within the Church, it is restricted, suffocated and controlling. This lead to a sense of euphoria and joy when I came out, becoming part of the queer community. Such a loving, connected and safe space laid the groundwork for me to recognize the importance of being surrounded by a supportive community of individuals. That was the first step in my journey delving into how different forms of intimacy can deeply change an individuals life. How important items, places and people can become important parts of a personal journey.  

The suffocation that came with the Church lead to a deprivation of personal and erotic intimacy. Anything concerning sexuality, romantic attention or attention from the opposite sex, let alone the same sex, lead to punishment and shame. Growing up with this mentality left me in a sort of limbo as to how I could express affection in a platonic, romantic or personal way. When I began painting and exploring new mediums, I began to learn to express myself through my artwork, opening up boundaries that had previously existed, allowing me to come to terms with my sexuality and opening up my mind to a newfound sense of self love.

My work often consists of self portraits. I began creating work like this in 2018 when I started experimenting with painting erotic scenes on functional items. Items such as sheets, blankets, panties and jackets. These pieces were meant to be worn and interacted with my the viewer, allowing them to experience an even deeper sense of closeness to the work.  

These are themes that I try to carry on and evolve through my wok today. A sense of warmth, closeness, community and all forms of intimacy. Something to make people feel drawn into, something to express a sense of love and contentment and welcoming.