The computer offers infinite possibilities for creativity in design, and I love the process of starting with an inspiration and seeing where it will lead.  With merely a few clicks of a button, I can create ten variations of a single idea.  In spite of this fluid method of experimentation, I like to begin creating artwork with a great deal of planning and thought.  I will research a subject extensively, taking notes and writing down ideas as if brainstorming for a paper.  I expand upon that information to make my pieces expressive and informative, and combine my research with my imagination and organic process.  The outcome is worth it. 

     Women and beauty are common themes in many of my pieces.  The issues that women face daily matter to me, and these have become the subject of the major portion of my art.  Photographer Cindy Sherman’s work often deals with social issues encountered by women, and her pieces were the primary influence on my Beauty Cliché series.  Women are faced with pressures everyday- like being beautiful in order to be accepted by society.  Humor can be a powerful tool, which is why I often use humor to reveal the serious side of these issues.  

     The scale and proportion of the images in my work greatly changes the dynamics of the visual picture and the inner message.  I have a new respect for Pablo Picasso because of this aspect of his work.  Although he alters the proportions of many of his subjects, they still appear natural.  My digital Zoo Symbols and also O, The Pressures We Face! are examples of my experimentation with proportion.  The images are much larger than normal and go off the page to suggest an even larger scale.

     Color and line are also important elements in my work.  In terms of design, I admire the work of Kolo Moser, Jules Cheret, and Alphonse Mucha.  Their use of line and color has influenced my exploration of new techniques.  A bold line has the capacity to make a powerful and forthright statement.  The suggestion of a texture produced by various media also appeals to me.  My design piece, Symbolizing the Seasons, is comprised of lines and colors, but together they incorporate a much deeper content.

     I want to continue on my path of experimentation as a graphic designer for either a magazine or logo company, although I am open to work for other types as well.  In addition to that, I plan to build up on the techniques and facets of my current work and see where that leads me too.

 

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