Growing up in an artist community, I was introduced to classical art at an early age. I began first practicing draftsmanship and etching, and then later applied those skills to painting. As I grew as a person, so did the presence of modern digital media in my life. This resulted in my interest of applying traditional techniques to contemporary subjects, mediums and styles. I am heavily influenced by my surroundings, both physical and emotional. While non physical, I consider the presence of social media a part of my environment, and am interested in how this environment influences people and myself. I work using references I photograph. I am often my own model for portraiture and figure works, though I do not consider them self portraits. This detachment of self and subject is inspired by the presentative nature of social media.
