Studio 309

Through my work in paint, collage, and photography, I'm able to explore narrative both within myself and the world around me. I embrace the intuitive, hands-on nature of art making, and through my work in several mediums I've discovered that the constant element in my work is my love for repurposing ephemera and discard. I'm fascinated by the transitory nature, spontaneous beauty, and history inherent to these scraps. By handling the same materials that others have touched in a new capacity, my ideas become part of their story.

After my formal education studying graphic design and photography at Kutztown University, I'm able to pair my graphic sensibilities and quirky sense of humor with my use of meaningful materials.

I have a BFA in Communication Arts and MEQ from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and am certified to teach Art K-12. Aside from my art-related day job, as a photography teacher at the Tamaqua Area High School, I embrace art-making in many mediums. I fell in love with darkroom photography in college, and have explored darkroom, digital, and instant film photography. I have gleaned much knowledge throughout my experience with undergraduate schooling and graduate class work. Through my work in several mediums, I've discovered that the constant element through all of my work has been my love for re-purposing scraps and the spontaneous beauty and history that these scraps possess, as well as the process used to create imagery.

My interest in other people’s discard began as early as my fourth birthday. I remember going to daycare, and while the other kiddies played on the swings, I dug around in the dead weeds behind the playground to find all sorts of garbage treasures. I collected springs, rubber balls, scraps of plastic and metal, and much more. I turned my findings into homemade dolls and robots.

I have continued to collect neat, garbage-y tidbits to be transformed into artwork, both photographic and otherwise.