Artist Statement 

Terminal illness is a profoundly life-altering event, and, like cancer, side effects spread just as ruthlessly to those who love the afflicted person. My artwork is a therapeutic way of exploring the complex emotions surrounding health and illness through the medium of printmaking, with a focus on reduction printing.

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Throughout the process of creating a reduction print, I spend a lot of time taking reference pictures, sketching the image, and carving the block. Each step gives me time to acknowledge difficult emotions, break through the isolation, and helps simulate a sense of control over a chaotic reality. Because I add colors with a reduction method, I find that there is a calm and steadiness built into the process of creating art. Meanwhile, the blank backgrounds force the viewer to interact with the subject at hand. 

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My intent is to bridge the gap between personal experience and universal understanding. I hope my work encourages viewers to confront their own emotions and experiences with illness, fostering a shared sense of empathy and connection. By inviting contemplation and dialogue, I aim to highlight the humanity that endures amidst the trials of health and life while also celebrating my mother and her strength.

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In tandem with this series, I work on art that provides me with the ability to escape any reality of illness. This includes whimsical imagery, exploration of diverse materials, and the incorporation of comforting memories and animals. I create these other prints with irreverence to how this work could be perceived next to such intimate and desperate work, they serve a complementary role. Both bodies of work offer a sense of comfort and control, each contributing to a broader narrative of seeking a balance between the chaos of illness and moments of tranquility.