I was born and raised in Austin, Texas. Though I consider Austin to be an oasis from what is mostly otherwise hot, dusty, and full of cowboy hats, I still feel a strong sense of Texasness in my surrounding and somewhat in my sense of self. This is a drawing I made in West Texas of the big sky and what felt like a really large openness. Though I haven’t always loved and appreciated where I’m from, once I knew I was coming to the city I started to really understand the certain beauty in it. I just started both sketching and shooting in film this summer and am still getting used to both, but feel at Parsons I’ll really be able to explore both those things, so I liked that they were incorporated into this photo.
A photo from an afternoon of collaging and art-making with my best friend – this is a tradition we have often when we feel like we need to spark some creativity. It’s something I love and treasure a lot (and will miss!)
This is a photograph of my most valuable possession. My father (who is one of my very favorite people on earth) made me a book of advice that he felt it would be easier to write (and draw) than tell me. Whenever I need a reassuring voice or a sense of inspiration, this book is often what I turn to. Though my dad may not be an artist in any sense, he is one of the most creatively thinking people I know and I admire, appreciate, and aspire to those qualities very much.
