Over the past two years, I’ve become deeply interested in how my childhood has shaped my identity.
This has led me to research the connection between landscape and memory —how landscapes can
carry residual energy from past encounters that trigger emotions and recollections when revisited.
The energy from my childhood lingers in the air of my family’s rural Upstate New York home, filled
with a mix of trauma and nostalgia that deeply influences my artwork. Although my childhood had
joyful moments, it is the darker memories that linger as I grow into adulthood. These memories feel
cold and bleak, like the endless winter of the Northeast—lifeless trees, grey skies, and an absence of
warmth. Yet, warmth does exist, hidden beneath these clouded recollections.
My process begins with photographing locations on my family property that are tied to significant
memories. While rooted in my personal experiences, my paintings remain intentionally ambiguous.
This invites viewers to form their own connections through the mood and aura of each piece. I
digitally paint over my reference photo to experiment with the lighting and atmosphere, emphasizing
the bareness of the trees. As I paint, I relive the story, channeling the emotion onto the canvas.
My work is only complete when I step back and feel that discomfort emanating from the work, knowing it reflects the emotion I intended
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