Inspiration boards

A peek inside my brain when it came to the ROARSHOCK collection.

Why do we see what we see? How can something trigger awe in one person, but terror in another? How do our surroundings influence our perspectives and personalities? How dangerous or helpful are misinterpretations/mistakes? How are we all connected? How do our brains seek/find meaning in things that are not understood?

Just some of the questions I reflected on before (and during) the creation of these paintings. Sometimes I found answers, other times just more questions, and a few times the understanding that some things just can't be explained.

Join us THIS Thursday for the opening of ROARSHOCK at Metal+Petal here in Athens.

What do you see?

What do you see?

Hermann Rorschach was a Swiss psychiatrist who sought to discover a test to unlock and analyze a person’s subconscious that couldn’t be faked or manipulated like previous personality tests. Eventually he created the Rorschach test believing that you couldn’t trick your brain to see or not see something- it would just see- and those visions would share an accurate description of who you were.

He died young (before really seeing all of the success of his research) but before that realized that a person’s perspective was often times influenced by their surroundings, careers, etc. (Basically, that our experiences have a lot to do with our personalities and perspectives.)

I was fascinated with that and wanted to dive deep into that idea- the idea that two people could see the same image/inkblot, but their minds would see vastly different things.

While researching for this project, I was also seeing the images being released by the James Webb Telescope and was mesmerized both by the images, but also how different people could have drastically different experiences when viewing the “unknown.” Same images, but some were awed, others uneasy, some downright terrified.

All of that came together for this series, purposely titled a misspelling of Hermann Rorschach’s name, to show not just how incredibly subjective a person’s truth can be, but also how it can be based on inaccuracies that the person may not even realize.

So I ask again, what do you see?

No surprise

It should come as no surprise that I’m sitting in UGA’s science library researching right now. Those looking for clues about my upcoming work, here you go 🖤

Three Weeks Already?

Can’t believe it’s already been three weeks since the Sugar & Vice opening! (Have you seen the show yet? It’s on display until September 29th so you only have a couple of weeks to get there!)

Reactions

I was interviewed on a podcast last night and we got to talking about inspiration/influence and what motivates me. I spoke about how I find raw talent and vulnerability to be the most impactful and inspiring. Art (from paintings to music to books and more) that makes you FEEL. It’s those things that push me to take risks, to be vulnerable, and to create.

I’m so proud of how much SUGAR & VICE has made people stop and feel. How many people have come to me to say they’ve had similar experiences, or to thank me for sharing my stories and then sharing their OWN stories. How one woman- before reading anything or even knowing the premise behind the show- remarked at just how nostalgic they were. How they kept reminding her of a specific time and feeling from her life. (Such a validating moment!)

This grouping is an especially emotional rollercoaster for people-and almost everyone reacted the exact same way (especially women.) First, with “Gold Star Dependent” there was a look of being seen- of recognition and understanding. Then with “Balloon Animals”- laughter. Every single time. (And a little bit of surprise.) And then lastly, heartbreak with “Stories People Tell.” This was where men and women differed a bit. Men were quieter and more still, while almost every woman physically responded. More than once I heard a sharp gasp, two times I saw tears, and almost everyone put her hand to her heart. It was truly amazing to witness.

If you haven’t seen the show or read the stories yet, you still have a little while left (until September 29th to be exact.) And if you can’t make it to Balance Design in Atlanta, click on “SHOP- current collection” to view everything there.

Detail shot

Detail shot from “Both Our Phones And Our Sandals Were Clear.”

Part of the Sugar & Vice collection. This one is sold, but head over to my site to view the entire 18 piece series and claim your favorite.

New works on the horizon

While Sugar & Vice is up and living its best life at Balance Design in Atlanta, I’m taking this time to sketch, brainstorm, and work on some other exciting projects. Currently on the calendar? An amazing three piece commission for two super awesome people and my next show (coming to Athens this December!)

Art Labels- Stories and Polaroids

My ten largest pieces (the 18”x24” paintings) are all accompanied with an “in process” polaroid of the popsicle(s) that made them, as well as the story that inspired them. While some of the stories are funny, others are a bit heartbreaking. What they all have in common though are that bring about strong emotions/memories. One of my favorite parts of the show was just watching people experience a painting, then experience its story, then re-experience the painting all over again. It’s a kind of shared vulnerability that I love.

Sugar & Vice Opening Party Recap

Let’s talk about this past Friday: the opening of SUGAR & VICE! It was a whirlwind of amazing art, lovely people, great conversation, and lots and lots of dessert and champagne. (Oh! And an amazing 80’s/90’s playlist.) It was all I had imagined and more ❤️

I could talk for hours and still never fully express how moved I was by this community. From emails and texts, to flowers and phone calls- Instagram stories and invitation reposts, you all showered me with love, encouragement, and support and I am so very very grateful for it.

A special thanks to everyone who came to party with us, and an very special thank you to the entire team at Balance Design- without whom I couldn’t have done any of this. Thank you for believing in me and in this show and going above and beyond to make it the best!

So again- thank you! You all are the best of the best!

See the whole collection under “shop” —then “current collections” on my website.

Guests were treated to a mix of adult snacks (like individual charcuterie cups and champagne) plus childhood classics like candy (in kabob form,) Airheads, Fun Dip, Funfetti cupcakes topped with sprinkles and mini candy popsicles, popcorn, chips, Kool-Aid, and of course, popsicles!

My greatest supporter

The best friends and supporters a woman could ask for

All cleaned up and quiet after a successful opening night!

The installation of Sugar & Vice

You guys. The show is officially installed and it looks phenomenal. Cannot wait for the opening tomorrow! Will I see you there? (Speaking of the opening, head over to the video to get a preview of the playlist 😉)

You can’t tell here, but the air conditioner broke earlier that morning so I was a sweaty mess getting all this hung lol (Luckily everything was fixed before the show started!)

One of my favorite views

SUGAR & VICE Artist Statement

*Reminder: the pools seen in this series paintings were created by the melting of popsicles I had previously made out of watercolors and inks

Why popsicles? Because of the nostalgia and the mess. Everyone has a childhood memory that involves a popsicle of some sort. Doesn't matter if they were homemade or store bought, if they were fancy or were nothing more than artificially dyed sugar water in plastic sleeves- it's a memory that we all can relate to. How our tongues and lips would get stained, the pools of melted colors left behind when they melted.

Sugar & Vice (a play on the nursery rhyme that girls are "sugar and spice and everything nice") is the story of growing up. The sometimes funny, sometimes sad -oftentimes confusing- road between girlhood and womanhood. How those stages melt into each other- neither having a definitive beginning or end, and how those experiences leave behind "stains" that influence what we think and who we become.