Smoke Drawings

Jail Flowers

Smoke Drawing Series IV

Carbon, Wax and Jail-issued Pen and Deodorant with Tampon as Brush on Paper

Made in Eddie Emerson’s Garden Shack in Gainesville, Florida and featured in the December 2019 issue of The Narrow and exhibited at The Hardback Cafe and SL8 Gallery in Gainesville, Florida.

This new series depicts the penal system in jungly Gainesville Florida and features stories from women formally incarcerated at Lowell Prison – the largest women’s prison in the country – as published in local Art and Culture magazine The Fine Print.

The drawings are named after the woman whose story I cut up and used in each piece.

18 x 24″

2019

*single asterisk denotes originals still for purchase

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The Digital Age

Smoke Drawing Series III

Carbon, Wax, Oil Paint, and Charcoal on Paper

Made during artist residency in Charlestown, NH

18 x 24″

2015

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Unsatisfiable Hunger

Smoke Drawing Series II

Carbon, Wax, Paint, and Pen on Paper

Made in Buffalo, NY and Brooklyn, NY

18 x 24″

2012-2013

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Carbon Footprint

Smoke Drawing Series I

Carbon and Wax on Paper

Made in Brooklyn, NY and Ridgewood, Queens

18 x 24″

2011-2012

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About Carbon Footprint (get ready-this project statement is a little hoity-toity-I even use the word ‘juxtaposition.’)

The prints are made by absorbing burned wax and smoke, usually from a candle, onto paper. I create the images to resemble organic forms in order to offer my perspective on the juxtaposition of natural and artificial; a conversation that is becoming increasingly more relevant as reality and technology continue to merge.

The social and environmental side affects of technology are enormous. A personal computer puts out 1,000 pounds of carbon dioxide each year, which makes the computer far less environmentally friendly than advertised (i.e., online banking). Newer technological platforms, specifically social media, are re-appropriating a natural reality, my “Carbon Footprint” series responds to this re-appropriation by engaging the audience with interesting and confusing imagery. At first glance one of the images may look beautiful and poetic while a second glance may make the image appear dark and foreboding. It is my intention that this confusion will urge the viewer to second guess the immediate.

MORE SMOKE DRAWINGS COMING SOON! New Series: The Digital Age