Who I Am
I was born in Seattle, WA, but mainly raised in Stockton, CA. Stockton has always been a diverse city filled with rich cultures and a variety of things to do. In my childhood I moved around a lot around Stockton and experienced living in different environments. I am Native American so growing up I spent a lot of time celebrating and learning about my culture. I volunteered at a series of cultural/community events such as pow wows, family day at the park, carwashes, cultural workshops, and others. I plan on obtaining a bachelor's degree in the Fine Arts with a Concentration in Graphic Design. My family has always been my biggest supporter. Since I am also a first-generation college student, being accepted into University of the Pacific under the CIP Program has positively influenced my life and my loved ones’ lives as well.
Artist/Designer Bio
I believe my art reflects how I interpret the environment and society around me. I started making art at first for the vanity of it all. But, as I matured, I grew out of my “vain art phase” and transitioned into a mature outlook on creating art. I now convey my past experiences through my art. I also make art to represent young Native American artists that don’t necessarily fit into the stereotypical boxes we are always categorized in.
Whenever I start creating a piece and brainstorming, I usually choose whatever I feel relates to my current situation. I am a mixed media artist and I use materials that I think best fit the energy of the piece. I am still an improving artist, so I usually adapt my techniques from people that inspire my work such as; Neimi Kanani, 0073.uv, and Micheal Dante DiMartino. I also “mimicked” a variety of different art styles when I was younger, ranging from anime/cartoons to realism. I believe this foundation of “mimicking” helped me improve my technical skills and recognize areas that needed to be improved.
I have recently created different artworks relating to diversity and inclusion. Throughout my time in high school and in general, I noticed that there are people being excluded not only because of external features, but because of “societal structures”. I want to create art that feels positive and inclusive and provide a safe space for those who feel excluded.
Artist/Designer Statement
My foundation for creating a piece is to create something that feels positive and inclusive for those who feel excluded. I want to create a safe space within my art for fellow artists who also can’t be categorized in a box.