I am an artist with a diverse background in fine art, graphic design, and interiors, holding an MFA from Columbia College Chicago. My art revolves around alter-egos depicted through collage and installation, exploring themes of vulnerability, raw emotion, and hidden narratives with the hope the viewer can attach their own stories to them.
As an educator, I aim to create a safe space where students can reconnect with the uninhibited joy and curiosity they had when creating art as children. I encourage them to shed the burden of excessive scrutiny and judgment, embracing the freedom of experimentation and play in their artistic processes.
In my classroom, I empower students to take artistic risks without fear of failure, promoting a growth mindset where mistakes are seen as valuable learning opportunities. Self-reflection and constructive critique are encouraged to help students identify areas for improvement while celebrating their artistic progress and achievements.
Drawing from my own experiences as an artist and educator, my art and teaching philosophy share personal stories of creative exploration and artistic discovery, often reflecting back to moments from my childhood when art was a joyful and intuitive process. I aim to reignite the excitement and curiosity that initially drew both my students and the viewers of my work to the arts.