Are the people you follow and the content they put out soulfully nurturing for you? Individuals I interact with daily influence my work. These interactions happen personally or through the social media platforms of my choosing. They happen with individuals I know like the back of my hand and people I have never--likely will never meet. Still the criss crossing of our paths push me to collect images taken in person or screenshots snapped as stories expire.
I am creating colored pencil and graphite portraits that prioritize rich saturated color and soft, gentle textures that reflect the way the subjects influence my day to day. The formal qualities of the work are influenced by the colors they choose to wear, the way they carry themselves through the world and the impact they desire to make on it.
It’s a funny time to be making art about people. We feel isolated by our work schedules, the passing of time and the computers we keep in our pockets. I have been making portraits that depict people whose seemingly small efforts make an impact. I made a drawing of my best friend because of the impact she has made on me, a blind contour of my partner during a coffee date together, and a contour of a stranger at the same cafe.
I hope these drawings cause viewers to feel the same joy these people bring me and consider who in their worlds has a positive effect on their virtual and analog realities.