About the Artist

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As an artist with aphantasia, I find my approach to my paintings to be somewhat unique. Since I lack any visual imagery in my head, my artwork comes to me in a more spiritual sense. Energy flows through me in waves of color. I never really know how a painting will turn out, which can be intimidating at times. I channel my love and appreciation for my surroundings, as well as any emotions I feel during the process and allow my minds eye to reveal itself on the canvas. Whatever happens, happens. You can sense the raw emotion in some of my artwork. For example, my painting "Hephaestus," was created during a time of frustration, resentment, and anger. I was going through a lot internally and it came out through my painting resembling fire. Ironically enough, that painting was also created while I was living in Fort Collins, CO in 2020 during the largest wildfire in Colorado history. I find beauty and comfort in the way our environment can, even unknowingly, present itself in such astounding ways in everyday life. 

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Born and raised in Hot Springs, AR, I come from a family of artists. My grandfather, Thomas Payne, has been a large inspiration for my artwork. I remember spending time as a child in his frame shop, playing hide-and-seek with my sister. The aroma of varnish and oil paints take me back to that time.

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I have been painting and drawing since I was a young girl. My family has showed me incredible support throughout my journey as an artist, pushing me to keep doing what comes natural to me, though my technique and style has changed and advanced throughout my life. I took art classes all through high school and college, which helped me to have a more technical understanding about different mediums, styles, etc.  I am thrilled to learn about different artists and am fascinated seeing their various styles and the way they apply their own knowledge of the arts. While I also enjoy using charcoal, I find that acrylic, oil, and gold leaf are the elements I enjoy most. I often incorporate other elements into my work to create texture, such as salt, baking soda, sand, and stone.

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While my paintings are abstract, I feel that each piece has a strong influence from nature, and I love to hear what others see within my paintings. I have always felt a deep connection with the Earth and feel the most at peace when surrounded by nature. My hope is that when others view my paintings, they can stop for a moment to fall into the emotions conveyed through the colors and texture I put into each piece. I want one to look at my painting and feel the love, comfort, and vastness that is the beauty of the world providing us life and nourishment. Creating such beauty and taking the time to reflect on how it came about helps me to ground myself, maybe it can help ground others.  

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