Artist Statement

This past semester alot of my studies have been about life, more specifically animal life. I am exploring different kinds of animal cruelty, and different ways to portray it. I have done some representative pieces but I am finding now that they are a little to didactic for my taste. The piece I did for the Nursing Show was done by layering transparencys over top one another, which is more ambigous than some of my other naturalistic paintings, so I hope to head more in that direction. I think maybe for the final I might try the layering technique again, but with the animal theme in mind. I have also done alot of sketches involving family and friends. I genuinely have an interest in people and their relationship with others, which would also include their relationship with animals. This also ties in with the animal cruelty theme again.
I would like to at some point do some direct studies of animals maybe at a farm or at a zoo, since most of them have been from photographs with the exceptions of drawings I have done of my dog and cat. I think this method of direct observation serves to better capture the animals personality, and also evoke emotion from my audience. This is always a goal of mine. I want to bring awareness to my audience. I want them to be emotionally moved by the events that are depicted in my art. In fact one of the artists Tiffany suggested really captures the emotions that I would like to convey in my art.. check out Sue Coe if you are interested.