Artist Statement

"Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable."

                                                                         -Cesar A. Cruz

          The above quote really resonates with me in terms of my photography. I stumbled upon it after two of my photo series, "Boxelder" and "How to Make a Monster," got very mixed reactions from gallery attendees. I found that viewers either related to the imagery and took from it a sense of "you are not alone," as others were upset by it, as it brings to light rather sensitive subjects that most people tend to avoid. 

    That is what I love about photography. I get to create scenarios that put important and often uncomfortable subjects right in the viewers' face where they can't ignore it anymore. Photography is a powerful tool and I enjoy using it in a way that challenges my viewers to think outside of themselves and live into the things that make them uncomfortable or even afraid.

    As for ceramics, the feeling of creating something with my own hands that is useful and functional as well as being a work of art is very grounding. Taking clay from the earth and shaping it into a vessel which will then be fired and used to offer food and drink to others really gives me a sense of unity. It makes me feel connected not only to the earth, but to all the potters and ceramicists before me. It's an ancient art dating back to 9,000 B.C. and it's difficult not to feel the immense history of it when I'm working.

     It's also very gratifying to know that the vessels i've created will go on to be loved by someone else and will become a part of their life after it leaves mine. It feels as though i've given them a part of myself.