How was your DEVIATE experience Can you tell us some information about your art? How would you describe it?    My artistic journey began in high school, where I delved into the world of fine art, focusing on portraiture and the emotions conveyed through color. While I started with realistic portraits, my style has evolved. I now concentrate on specific features like eyes and mouths to create what I call a "portrait." My art is a blend of the strange and whimsical, using vibrant colors to evoke both unease and cheerfulness.

Where do you find the inspiration for your pieces? I draw a lot of inspiration from art history, learning from the artists who came before me to shape my own creations. I also find inspiration in music, film and pop culture. Sometimes I even wake up in the middle of the night to jot down concepts only to wake up in the morning very confused by my midnight ramblings. It's a reminder of how the subconscious and imagination collaborate in creativity.

What do you want us to know about your art, your design, or anything at all? When people see my art, I want them to stop and think about what it makes them feel. A lot of emotion goes into making art, and it's fascinating to see how that emotion connects with each person who sees it. I also believe that art is meant for both the artist and the viewer to do some self-reflection. What thoughts and feelings does each piece bring up for you?

What are you most excited about for DEVIATE? Why should people come to DEVIATE? I'm stoked about Deviate because it'll be my first show in Wisconsin. I've been part of several exhibitions before, including some solo ones, but the energy I've sensed around Deviate is on another level. The prospect of connecting with fellow artists and art enthusiasts in this big celebration has me genuinely excited. Plus, as a graphic designer working on Deviate, it's going to be awesome to see all that design effort pay off in such a massive event.

I encourage folks to swing by Deviate, not only to revel in the art displays, drinks/food, and performances but also to seize the chance to engage in meaningful conversations and authentic connections with the artists themselves. By and large, we're a pretty rad bunch!

What is your background? How did you get into art, did you go to school for it, etc. Give us a little history! I'm an artist originally from Raleigh, North Carolina. Just made my way to Beloit in July 2023. My creative journey started early, and when high school hit, I convinced my parents to let me attend this visual arts charter school right in downtown Raleigh. It was a weird experience that changed my life entirely.

Back in high school, I focused on realism and portraiture. But after four years of that, I was itching for something new. College was the next step, where I dove into both art and design, with a minor in arts entrepreneurship. After being cooped up during the height of COVID, I decided to get out there and do something different. That's when I jumped into mural painting for a few years.

Throughout the past few years, I wore a bunch of hats – graphic designer, muralist, art history research assistant, and printmaker. Now, I've graduated and moved to Beloit, where I'm stoked to be part of the cool people at Geronimo Hospitality Group. Can't wait to get to know the Beloit community even better through Deviate!