A year before this show (February 2024 at Component Coffee, Fresno, CA) someone new entered my life introduced me to this coffee shop and city. At the time, I was starting a new job and moving apartments, near many loved ones but quite far from two very dear people in particular. Because of this, “home” and “belonging” felt increasingly subjective, stirring a sense of confusion and wistfulness, but also of the bright adventure found only in foraying into new landscapes, scenes, and timezones. They became portable concepts out of necessity.

 

Many of these pieces were made between night shifts in said new job—quiet moments when few are awake, it was dark and chilly, and nostalgia settled in. It was the perfect liminal space to create with those loved ones in mind, much like time spent shuttling between places on an airplane. 

 

Ink pieces were made using the thinnest pen available (005). Paintings were on reclaimed surfaces, including ceramic tile from my new home. Small-scale work was done on retired airplane exterior.

 

A portion of proceeds were donated to the Cleveland Clinic Taussig Cancer Center