Artist Statement

Sooner or later, loss finds us, and the shadows it brings with itself are rarely scripted. In response to such a loss, the last two years of my life have been darker than I ever expected them to be. And in the chaos of a crumbling world, I turned to an old friend – creating art.

There’s an expectation of art to be fighting a mission, or making stark, existential points. For me, I create to create, and that’s enough. But I must admit that in these two years, the artwork in this show has been a friend, a constant in an increasingly alien world. Consequently, to be able to create worlds of my own with only my hands and charcoal has been deeply fulfilling.

My art explores figures, portraits, and most importantly, life. I create expressive sketches using charcoal, pastels, or anything black. The subjects in my works often rise from the shadows hunting for the highlights to find their form.

I seek to be earnest through the works I create, which is why I sketch from life. Imagination can be predictable; life isn’t. So over the last two years, I’ve shown up to draw week after week – even on days I haven’t felt too hot. The idea has been that there’s magic in the mundane. But if I’m not there to witness it, the magic shall simply pass.

The works in this show mirror the current phase of my life:
Some do so explicitly,
Some do it subtly,
Some seem intentionally disconnected from it.

And much like my life today, there is a sense of uncontrolled chaos to it all.

Bio

I am an emerging, self-taught, Milwaukee-based, visual artist. I create expressive sketches in traditional media (charcoal/pastels/graphite), and digital media. Contemporary subjects in my daily life are where I draw (pun unintended) my inspiration from.

I believe that everyone’s an artist, and I create merely to create.

You may find me on Instagram as @yesitcomesinblack.

Current Exhibitions

• Solo Show: Resolving Shadows, Mitchell Street Arts, 710 W Historic Mitchell Street, Milwaukee, WI 53204

Past Exhibitions

• Open Call: WMSE Art & Music, Pritzlaff Building, Milwaukee, WI, 2026

• Open Call: WMSE Art & Music, Pritzlaff Building, Milwaukee, WI, 2025

• Open Call: Super Sketchy, VAR Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, 2025

• Open Call: Summer Sale, VAR Gallery, Milwaukee, WI, 2024