Helping Myself and Driving Myself Crazy 2020 Acrylic on reclaimed canvas 28” x 34”
A photo of a kitchen table and chairs, situated in the corner of the kitchen with a bowl of green apples on top. There is a window to the left of the table, with sunlight streaming into the entire room. + Enlarge
Fleeting 2020 iPhone Photo
Painting of a figure seated in the center of the composition, with brightly-colored triangle patterning behind it. + Enlarge
Migraine 2021 Acrylic on Mixed Media Paper 18" x 24"
A wood grain pattern, painted over with bright, vibrant colors. + Enlarge
Paint by Nature, Not by Number 2021 Acrylic on Reclaimed Plywood 12” x 24”
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A pillow made of upholstery fabric, embroidered with the following text: “Dear Mom, Sorry I have to run away. It’s for my own good. -Andrea” + Enlarge
Andrea Kept This ‘On Hand,’ 1975. 9 Years 2020 4” x 11” x 14”
A brightly-colored pattern in the center of plywood, with painted woodgrain in the background. + Enlarge
Let Me Come to Your Party 2021 Acrylic on Reclaimed Plywood 12” x 24”
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Statement

I aim to center my own health and well-being. It is important for other artists to see that it is possible to create and still sleep, eat, and exist without the pressure to constantly produce. I integrate various mindfulness and meditative practices into my work, as well as exercise routines to help prevent repetitive use injuries. An accompanying research paper details my thoughts on art culture, self-care, and political involvement.

My work assesses that ‘art culture’ perpetuates several dangerous lies to its participants. At the core of those lies is the overarching idea that you must prove yourself to be a “real artist” before you can be taken seriously. “Real artists,” according to these ideas, are supposed to sacrifice everything for their work: their time, their bodies, their money, their relationships, and their mental health. And although it is unfortunately true that artists must make some sacrifices for their pursuits, I disagree with society’s willingness to accept this, and worse, celebrate it. This body of work is that disagreement coming to life: fighting against the negative parts of art culture and celebrating care and communal sharing of resources and knowledge. This work does not claim to be perfect, nor does it claim to fix the problems on its own. What this work does do is act as my own personal catharsis for the struggles I have faced in trying to undo these harmful notions in my own mind. It has helped me grapple with my own complacence in contributing to the rhetoric of the “crazy artist.” I want this work to feel like an escape from the traditional art experience, and from the high-speed chase toward “success” that capitalism consistently pushes us towards.

General Fine Arts (BFA) Students