Richmond, VA
My art is a celebration of detail and precision. I specialize in freehand graphite drawings in the style of hyperrealism. My deeply focused drawing process becomes meditative for me, as I meticulously replicate the contours, light, and shadows found in my photo references. Constantly sharpening my pencils and working entirely freehand, I draw objects with often unnoticed or unappreciated details. Carefully crafting each line and curve, I work to capture the subtle changes between highlights and shadows. The objects I depict are surrounded by large white spaces, allowing the viewer to be fully absorbed into the piece and appreciate its intricate details. My current and on-going series focuses on the beauty of antique bottles. Through my hyperrealistic approach, I capture subtle nuances, from the torn and stained labels to the aged textures of the glass. This series aims to not only highlight the beauty found in aging, but also embody the rich stories and personal histories behind each bottle. Furthermore, the labels in this series include both strong heritage brands, such as Jack Daniel’s, and those obsolete since Prohibition, such as E.E. Downham’s Belle Haven Whiskey. These labels embody a rich history that await a renewed appreciation. By drawing these artifacts as they appear today, with their wrinkled, torn, and stained paper labels, I emphasize the inherent beauty that can be found in aging. Some of these bottles have been discovered hidden within the walls of old homes, buried deep in the ground, or passed down alongside captivating family legends. As an example, the Old Overholt Prohibition Era bottle was given to my great grandfather, a funeral home director in Queens, NY, in the 1930’s as payment from a family who could not afford funeral services. The bottle has been passed down through my family, now belonging to my mother. Through my detailed drawings, I invite viewers to take a moment to imagine the layers of history, stories, and emotions held by these beautiful glass bottles.
