-Artist's Statement-

Stories are something that all humans can relate to. Our lives, intertwined with almost seven billion others, are all a part of one huge, continuous plot. And for me, comics are the closest thing that an artist can create to depict reality, since almost every kind of life experience can be contained within a comic book’s pages. It also seems to me to be the hardest medium to master, since one has to be the director, the writer, the characters and the camera person, all at the same time. However, I feel that most modern comics are going in the wrong direction. There is too much emphasis on having the right, realistic “look” rather than the right, realistic “feel.” We are distracted by the visual art, rather than being drawn in by the integration of the drawing with the storytelling. In other words, much of this work is about technique and not about telling a seamless story.

Since there is so much emphasis put into the visual aspect of comics, the Western world generally looks at the sequential art field superficially. Most of them judge an artist’s skills on only the drawn artwork and not by the storytelling. But, how can one judge a comic when only looking at half of what gives it its power? For this reason, Japanese comic books-- known as manga—have influenced me greatly. In manga, equal emphasis is put into the images and the text, so the reader is not distracted from experiencing the emotions of the artist. I am also inspired by artists from the past, such as Leonardo DaVinci and William Blake. While DaVinci does stand as one of the most technically advanced artists of his time, I admire him even more for his magnificently inventive and imaginative mind. William Blake’s intuitive method of storytelling strikes the soul even before the meaning in his images and words becomes clear. That is what I plan to do--to touch the hearts of many with my artwork and stories, and convince the public that comics can be a true art form.

In my work, I believe that a true representation of the human experience can be achieved without a character or background looking completely realistic. The imagery can come entirely from the imagination as long as it has the right “feeling” for the story I am telling. I rely on my intuition while creating art, for although my conscious mind contains limited knowledge, my intuition, my unconscious self, has a certain genius that is limitless. Once we learn something deeply, so that it truly becomes a part of us, our true emotions can shine through. Depicting the world realistically is a way of appreciating God and the complicated intricacies that make up our human experience. He gives us our physical reality and we interpret it through our works. Too much concern about the correct technique only subtracts from this process of internalization. Advice, inspiration and motivation can all be delivered from the outside, but without that deep sense of understanding, and the personal desire to experience life and make mistakes, the wisest teacher in the world can do nothing for the artist.

There are many young artists that regrettably believe that no matter how much they learn about art, they will never get any better. By showing them my meager beginnings, and inspiring them with the stories of my characters, I will show the world that you don’t have to own a genetic predisposition in order achieve your dreams, and you do not have to be a child in order to have them. I believe that there are as many styles as there are artists, so we only need to reach that subconscious level of understanding in order to let others see our distinct nature. All it takes is the passion, the determination, and the belief that our goals are possible. I plan to use my degree by giving people the inspiration to know that they too, can make their thoughts and dreams into reality.

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