Ideas behind my art style

My artwork tends to have an overall theme of peculiarity and a sense of “weirdness” to those viewing it. Regardless of the actual type of artwork a particular piece is, such as a portrait, scene, or design, there is almost always at least a subtle element of oddness in my work. For example, an otherwise “normal” composition, such as portrait, may have a single minor element that is distorted in some way. This distortion may not be strikingly out of place to a viewer, but it will contribute to some sort of alteration in how the overall portrait is perceived. In other cases, the peculiar elements may be the most significant part of the artwork itself. The scene may feature odd combinations of objects, strangely proportioned and colored in such a way that makes their strangeness obvious.

                The peculiar nature underlying most of my artwork generally illustrates an idea or a part of an idea that can be applied to both other works and life itself. Oftentimes, the idea is a portrayal of the complexity of life, and how including or excluding that complexity affects the way the art is perceived. When I attempt to include some of the complexity in a particular composition, I find that the finished work has a number of minor elements which all add to the complexity of whatever is being depicted. In this sense, I believe that these complex works are more relatable to individuals than less complex works, because, at the very least, we can all compare the depicted complexity to the real complexity we experience in our lives. On the other hand, when I intentionally avoid showing elements of the complexity of life, my artworks are more clearly identifiable as imagined rather than realistic. The lack of complexity may make a work feel more distant than complex works, but it can also make certain concepts and scenes easier to understand.

                Generally, when there are odd or peculiar elements present in my work, they were intentionally included. This is partially because I believe that such elements help to portray a theme, and partially a simple matter of preference. I find works, from visual arts to literature, to be fascinating when they show elements of nonsense, and I enjoy creating my own works using those elements, interpreted in my own way. Although the “Alice in Wonderland”-like feel makes a work less explicitly realistic, I feel that, when taken together with the idea of complexity, it can strengthen the connection between canvas and viewer. I try to make art that is both fun to see and interesting to think about.