ARTIST STATEMENT

My work is about the symbiotic relationship between music and visual art. I make artwork that is about the ineffable, psychological essence of both art forms. I try to create visual art that enhances the music I sing by portraying the qualia that the music cannot, and vice versa. Qualia are “experiential properties of sensations, feelings, perceptions and … thoughts and desires,” which are inherently subjective, as we can only experience or perceive feelings in our own mind. Through visual art and music, I express that which is difficult to communicate through language alone. When plain language fails us, can we communicate our qualia through music and visual art? What is art for, if not to communicate what language cannot?

Working mostly with oil, I create abstract expressionist portraits of music. Marrying both forms of art in new and groundbreaking ways is the vehicle with which I portray my ineffable raw feelings. An abstract snapshot, recording the various psychological affects inspired by the experience of singing or simply listening and being a part of the music. A portrait of the music, if you will. Every step of the artistic and musical experience is recorded in each painting as a reflection of a journey. My hope is that the viewer connects with the work and experiences an emotional journey of their own.

Most recently I have been exploring the world of portraiture as a way to explore the operatic characters that appear in the music I sing. For example, in my most recent exhibition and recital, ‘To Love and To Be Loved’, I created a portrait for each woman that plays a character in the recital, as well as a life-sized sculpture of the Statue of Venus. My work will continue to evolve as I move along to the next phase of my singing career, as bringing my visual art to my music is a core principle of my artistic mission.