portrait of the artist and their cat, 2023
I have lived in the rural Midwest for my entire life. I was raised in between corn fields and creeks, by farmers and their wives. From an early age, I had a reverence for nature and animals, which often manifests itself in my work. I create digital illustrations in the realm of historical fiction as a means of expressing myself and how I identify and exist as a human. I enjoy utilizing natural textures in my work and rendering natural portraiture in a stylized, painterly fashion.
I insert my own narratives onto historical contexts to see examples of my identity reflected on those who lived before me. I don’t see my works as self-portraits in any sense, yet I get many responses from those who can see me in my work. So often are queer stories overlooked, a fact that I struggled with as a child searching for familiarity. I hope that my work can serve as a bridge for those seeking community in a world where we can often go unseen.
The ways in which meaning can be conveyed through simple icons interests me. Exploring ways to portray narratives through abstract symbols. This mirrors the way I’ve navigated my life as a queer individual, speaking in terms that those not in the community will not understand to protect myself from judgement.