Although I am originally from New Jersey, I moved here in October 2015 after living in Scranton for seven years. I moved to Pittsburgh to become part of what I believe is a growing art environment, in a humble city in which entrepreneurs are willing to help each other succeed. I am looking for work in the art/design field, while also working on building my own personal artist brand. I am utilizing the services of other young, start-up business owners and individuals when I can, to help my brand, but also help build the businesses of others. I am really looking forward to becoming an artist here and networking with others in Pittsburgh.
For as long as I can remember, I have had a strong, sentimental attachment to physical things and view them as keys to unlocking memories. When a person uses and loves an object, I believe there is a positive energy left on that object, and when I create, I attempt to capture that energy in my artwork. I have always been intrigued with the form of everyday objects and the energy that exists in once-loved possessions, and since I began creating art, I have been inspired by and have found ways of incorporating found objects into my work. These objects are not found, however; they are harvested from my own home and saved from being discarded by friends and family. I have come to consider them “rescued.” I use these rescued objects to create an array of sculpture and wearable art jewelry, as well as allow them to inform the work I make out of new materials. I work in a variety of materials, and when it comes to using rescued objects, the types of materials I use are limitless. My work features bottle caps, windows, old copper pipes, bottle glass, tins, and scales among other things. I do have favorite materials utilized regularly, including copper, silver and polyester resin. Most of the copper I use is left over scrap from maintenance, roofing companies, and other students. I work with fine metals because, with them, it is easy to achieve the raw and treasured tactile qualities I love about antiquated possessions. I strongly value the way working with my hands contributes to the look of my work. There is a uniqueness which I associate with hand-crafted materials. Living in a society in which so many things so easily become obsolete or disposable, I repurpose once-used belongings and depict images of out-dated materials in the hopes of reminding people the value of things which are hand-made, well constructed, taken care of, and appreciated.