My practice is multidisciplinary and spans from 35mm experimental film photos, to: cyanotypes, anthotypes, block prints, embroidery, illustration, printmaking, installation and mixed media work.
My photos are “film souped” and I shoot almost exclusively on disposable cameras. Film soups often include a variety of alcohols, juices, sodas, spices, seawater detergents and chemicals. The cameras are often purposely destroyed, lens colored, camera bodies stabbed, swam with, or exposed to storms and natural elements. After the film soup is over the roll is thoroughly rinsed and then typically frozen from a few hours to severeal days, and thawed to reflect conceptually on the changes of state of water molecules. The photos are not edited once they are developed, all resulting color changes, shapes and emulsion disruptions are a natural part of the film soup technique.
In creating my own film souping method using the whole disposable camera with the film intact (Gagné method) I am both the creator and destroyer. Through each of these small deaths that the film and camera go through, a new image rises from the ashes.
My illustration and printmaking work focuses on rich and intricate patterns, playing with varying levels of control and often featuring bright colors. I have mild red-green colorblindness that I embrace as part of my individual artistic vision. Nature is a common thread that runs through all of my work in different media, whether it is the subject, object or method.
Conceptually I am interested in a range of topics that inspire my work from the scientific to the esoteric. These include quantum physics and astronomy, the study of epigenetics, linguistics, botany and foraging. I am drawn to themes of immigration, cultural mixing, family stories and history. I believe that location and memory impact each other and I explore the theoretical separation of spacetime into space and time. Every moment in time is layered on top of each other, echoing through an infinite hallway.
I am inspired by the following artists, designers, architects duojár, and creatives:
Áillohaš (Nils-Aslak Valkeapeåå), Kohei Nawa, Graciela Iturbide, Yves Tanguy, Máret Ánne Sara, Wassily Kandinsky, Genesis and Lady Jaye P-Orridge, Beth Maciorowski, Teresa Frank Faris, Britta Marakatt-Labba, Gustav Klimt, Teresa Vander Meer-Chassé, Heaven Ender, Ella Morton, Patryk Klimkowicz, Sarah Cooper and Nina Gorfer.
I am also inspired by the work of John Savio, Salvador Dalí, Dora Maar, Lucas Samaras (especially his manipulated polaroids), Joar Nango, Giorgio de Chirico, Anna-Stina Svakko, Hans Bellmer, Liz Potter, Egon Schiele, and Brad Kahlhamer.
I draw a lot of inspiration from early New England gravestone carvers namely: Nathaniel Emmes (Boston) and his sons Henry and Josua, Henry Christian Geyer (Boston) and his son John Just, William Mumford (Boston), The Lamson Family (Charlestown), and The Boston Stonecarver (identity unknown).