Tell us about yourself!

I am from Pompano Beach, FL, born and raised. I am a freshman on campus currently. Contrary to what people think—considering art is such a big part of my identity—I'm actually pre-med and majoring in biology and minoring in physics. I see a lot of art mirrored in the human body, particularly in the field of pathology (my dream job). I make all kinds of art, but my favorite mediums to work with are ink and colored pencil. I focus on drawing and painting and love to experiment with mixed media by incorporating gold foil, fake flowers, and different types of paper.

 

How did you get into creating art? When did you first start?

I’ve been creating art ever since I was a little kid and could hold a crayon! My parents knew I had a knack for creativity, so they made sure to support my love for art by buying me supplies and pushing me towards art camps and classes. All of my school art teachers were super supportive as well.

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Where do you get your inspiration?

A few of my favorite artists are the Polish surrealist Zdzisław Beksiński, my art teacher Nino Liguori, muralist Ahol Sniffs Glue, and the pointillist Julia Koceva. And of course, Salvador Dali! I pull inspiration from tons of places—whether that is a singular Tiktok I saw once a month ago or a wall mural on the side of a building. I often can formulate ideas from dreams as well. My overarching quote I create my art by is, “Art should comfort the disturbed and disturb the comfortable." I’m inspired by innate detail, design, and of course, subtle horror or unorthodox topics.

 

You described your art as unorthodox and individualist. How does your art help you express individuality?

The art I create is definitely an extension of the aesthetic of myself. I definitely have a specific style to how I dress, carry myself, and create my art, and that holistically makes up me! I always felt like what I was interested in, aesthetic and art-wise, was never represented in mainstream media or big galleries I went to. I never saw stippled drawings of ram skulls or dreamy portraits with glitter and mushrooms incorporated into the anatomy. I’ve always been inspired by surrealist, odd art, and mixing that with an intense attention to detail makes up my art and myself as a person. People now associate me with many of the pieces I make (like my plague doctor drawing), and that makes me so happy!

 

How do you incorporate artwork in your daily life as a student?

Before COVID and back in high school, I was busy managing my art as a business, selling prints through my website and attending weekly artwalks where I would set up booths and sell my art live to people. Unfortunately, since coming to college, I have not had time. It breaks my heart not being able to draw or paint a bit every day or finish a big piece, but that is the life I signed up for as a pre-med student and I am looking forward to winter break!

 

What message do you wish to convey through your art?

I use art as a way to stand out from the crowd, creating imaginative, unorthodox pieces straying from the stigma of photorealism. Living in a society and age where ‘fitting in’ is expected, I receive a good bit of criticism for many of the pieces I create, but if you don't bother a few people, is it any fun? I hope to increase awareness of how breaking social stigma and what is ‘acceptable’ in the art community is what creates a greater appreciation for the creative. I aim to alter the perception of what art should be, to the understanding of what art should express, as well as the importance of it being okay to not fit in and embracing your individuality and independence as a person.