Where are you from originally?
Sterling, New York- 45 minutes east of Rochester, on Lake Ontario.
What is your medium?
Previously, oil painting. Currently: Sharpie.
How has Buffalo influenced your work?
If I hadn’t moved to Buffalo, I never would have gotten back into fine art. Fellow ELAB members convinced me to create again, and also the preservation movement inspired me to document our incredible built environment (both preserved and lost).
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
The deep roots of WNY history as well as the future I am helping to create here. The people in this town care so deeply for this place, it has had an indelible impact on me. I became a professional historical researcher because of that.
Name an artist (or more) that most inspires you?
Tara Sasiadek and Marissa Lehner, two of my Emerging Leaders in the Arts Colleagues. Both are talented artists and also they manage to balance incredibly busy lives and work as teachers.
What is your preferred subject matter?
Microcosms of Buffalo’s historic architecture, and my own family history.
How do you feel you can best advance to the next level, or are you most happy where you are now?
I would like to put together a show which aggregates all the work I’ve been doing lately. I will probably have an installation at CITY of NIGHT on August 17th.
What is another medium that you would like to learn? Or that you have already learned?
I would like to improve my watercolor skills and learn more about three-dimensional work like assemblage and sculpture.
Is there a purpose to your artwork?
It is both activism and expression, so that I can get out my feelings and frustrations.
How often do you work on your art?
I try to draw buildings every day but life has been getting in the way lately…
What or who first prompted you to venture into the art world?
I recall thinking, as a 6-year-old, “I will be an artist when I grow up.” My parents supported me by offering me creative outlets, and encouraging my art, and then I was lucky enough to have a series of excellent art mentors like Jacquelyn Pfaff-Pratt in high school and Matthew Friday in college.
Have you been schooled in art? Are you planning on attending art school? If so, where?
I hold a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio Art from SUNY Oswego.
Where is your favorite venue in Buffalo to exhibit?
464 Gallery is my heart as it’s one of the first places I experienced Buffalo’s “indie” art scene, and the site of my first solo exhibition, “I Am Her”, which took place July 2011.
Is there a gallery in Buffalo that you would like to show your work in, but haven’t yet?
No. I have some other ideas.
Where did you learn your craft?
Some of it came naturally but the training I received in high school and college were absolutely necessary for my development, both as an artist and as a critically-thinking member of society.
What are your strengths?
Communication, public speaking, leadership.
What are your weaknesses?
Talking too much, fearing the unknown.
Name one person that you would like to sell a work of art to?
Anyone! My art has never been a money-maker for me.
What’s the best thing about being an artist?
Complete freedom to create anything you want.
What’s the worst thing about being an artist?
Complete freedom to create anything you want.
Where is your current/next show in the city? Dates? Opening night?
The next big event I’ll be hosting is CITY of NIGHT 2013 at the grain elevators (Silo City) on August 17th, 2013.
What is the title and theme of the show/s?
CITY of NIGHT is all about collaboration and community. Arts, history, preservation, sustainability.
Lead image: KC Kratt for Buffalo Spree
More Greater Buffalo artists and artisans…
Sean Madden, Paul Rybarczyk, Beth Pederson, Robert Schulman, Paul Klonowski, Betty J. Pitts-Foster, Carol Case Siracuse, Alejandro Gutierrez, Paul Alico, John Sargent, Deborah Stewart, Pat Pendleton, Kristin Damstetter, Alana Adetola Fajemisin, Sarah and John Cozzemera, Rob Hopkins, Jennifer Seth-Cimini, Elisabeth Strong, Michael Mulley, Patricia Schwimmer, Mikel Doktor, Jerome Greenberg, Elizabeth Leader, Jacqueline Welch, Doreen DeBoth, Joe Cascio, Candace Masters, Iris Kirkwood, Lukia Costello, Michael Morgulis, Julie Leatherbarrow, Chris Liberti, Michael Mararian, Daniel Rodgers, Bruce Adams, Ken Payne, Christina Cooke, Elise Anne Brooks, Frank Cravotta, Jackie Albarella, Gary Melius, Melissa Campbell, Jeff Quigley, Nancy Moran, Vincent Alejandro, Patti Harris, Eileen Graetz, Rita Argen Auerbach, Dianne Baker, Norine Spurling, Margaret Raab, Ingrid Luongo