Art is a way of knowing: knowing the soul, knowing thoughts, knowing beliefs, knowing feelings, knowing experiences, knowing pain, knowing joy… knowing the self. By engaging in the process of art making, I am exploring these different characteristics of “knowing.” My artwork encompasses this concept of knowing which I believe is necessary to understanding of identity. Most of the imagery I use involves the human figure as well as the organs that make up the human body. We are made up of what is inside of us and I feel strongly that this is a contributing factor to our self-image.

Normally speaking, the digestive system or the female reproductive organs aren’t given much thought as to how they might affect identity for a human being. I explore this concept in my work and believe that this is a crucial part in that process of discovering who we are. By focusing my artwork on this concept of identity, it is my belief that I can better understand my own identity as well as to create imagery that allows the viewer to understand and learn more about him or herself.

In the summer of 2006 I was diagnosed with Crohn’s Disease, which is an autoimmune disease that affects the digestive system. I have always used art as a means of personal expression, but with this diagnosis came a very important turning point in my artistic journey. Through this time, I began to realize that my work had a vital calling and direction, and one that could speak to the struggles with identity after physical bodily changes had taken place. Art helped me significantly during this period of my life, and I have been able to overcome these struggles. Since working through that time artistically, I have been able to go on to become the artist that I feel I was born to be. I believe that what took place in my physical body made me who I am today and I would not have been the same person had this not happened. This has been just the inspiration I need to continue on my artistic journey of exploring identity.