The Sacramento-based collagist shares the musings for her paper portraitures and her creative goals.
Was art a big part of your childhood?
I was raised in a creative family in Abilene, Texas. My grandmother quilted and my father was a woodworker and manufacturer. I studied art history at Arkansas State University, finding particular inspiration in Gothic and Renaissance artwork, and then relocated to California State University, Chico, where I was both a teacher’s assistant in Asian art and exposed to the broader Western canon. Studying the different theories that can be applied to works of art opened a whole new world to me, and continues to influence the art I create today.
Is there an artist whose work speaks to you most?
During my youth, I was a tireless doodler and I made dolls. I fantasized about settling down in Paris. Henri Matisse’s use of color fueled my imagination and inspired my love of art history, which motivated me to travel with the purpose of seeing works of art in person.
How did you begin experimenting with paper?
As a single mother, I was forced to temporarily table my artistic pursuits, but as my children grew older, I was overcome with a desire to express. I was lost for years, looking to expand beyond my comfort zone of acrylics and for some creative activity that would engage my soul. I wanted to make art, but I wanted it to be different from what others were producing. Looking at the stacks of magazines in my home, I was stirred to experiment with collage. I am able to express my interests in feminism and art history while producing pieces that people enjoy. It’s like my own personal renaissance.
What impact do you want your work to have?
I want people to be drawn in by the rich colors and images of strong women, and then come to appreciate the intricacy and handiwork that is involved in making each piece. I have only been creating art in this medium for about three years, so there is so much more for me to play with and explore. Becoming an artist is something my 6-year-old self would be excited about.
This article originally appeared in HD’s November 2020 issue.
