Artist Statement

In late May of 2024, I lost a close friend of mine, Drew Waldschmidt, to suicide. As time went on, as I navigated the stages of grief, I started a collection of deer paintings. These paintings served as a way for me to understand and come to terms with this loss rather than trying to convey my emotions. My goal with this collection was to allow the viewer to feel the sense of unease that I have been experiencing by using bright colors to relay this typically dark subject matter. I use Bucks as a representation of Drew and the innocent life that we have lost.