Statement on Work
My works are physical representations of internal dialogues, letters written and unwritten, ruminated, selected, erased - a Pandora's box of thoughts and emotions. Shapes and strokes are repeated, obsessed over, then covered completely. Or not so completely. I believe that painting can be a form of exorcism, a way of focusing intense energy that is distilled into a tangible form.
I lean toward the combination of representational and non-representational elements with the hope of invoking multiple levels of meaning for the viewer. Many of my paintings begin as stream of consciousness mark-making and letter-writing, rotating the canvas to build up layers of shapes and texts without protecting the layers beneath, almost like graffiti. I may then spend days on a particular area of a painting, obsessing over it, only to obliterate it in one quick gesture, thereby releasing myself from its grasp, and moving on from it. Like a mini catharsis.
I love creating “obstacles” that I then have to “fix” by editing. I have a love/hate relationship with editing. My subversive side would prefer not to edit at all, to lay everything out just as it is, no second- guessing. My perfectionist side however, feels that some attention should be paid to line, content, form, cohesion. I strive to create a balance between the two.
Though I can appreciate the concept of “less is more,” I think that exploring and pushing the boundaries of “more is more” can be much more interesting and challenging. Can there be harmony in chaos? At what point does chaos go from “acceptable” to “uncomfortable”?
C.V.
Education
May 2013, BFA Summa Cum Laude, concentration in painting and Minor in Art History from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
2010‐2011, attended San Antonio College. Fine arts major.
2005‐2006 attended the University of New Mexico, Fine arts major.
1999‐ 2001 attended the University of New Mexico, Biological Anthropology major. Minor in Spanish.
Awards and scholarships
President's list 2011, 2012, UTSA
Dean's list 2005, 2006 UNM
Lottery scholarship UNM
Exhibitions
2019
Rowdy Women Take Over, TexPopSA, San Antonio, TX
2018
Art to the Brim, Infinity at the Rim, San Antonio. TX
Future Currents, Dock Space Gallery, San Antonio, TX
Common Currents Tricentennial Exhibit, Southwest School of Art, San Antonio, TX
2016
New works, Pam’s Patio Cafe, San Antonio, TX
2015
A Summer Night in SA, group show for St. Pj’s, Brick at Blue Star Art Complex, San Antonio
2013
Doppelganger, Espresso Gallery, San Antonio TX
Goodbye, Paco Cunningham, Melinda Martinez Studio, San Antonio,TX
XXIX Annual Student Exhibition, University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio Collegiate Student Exhibition, The San Antonio Art League and Museum
Santikos Legacy Art Project, San Antonio, TX
2012
Solstice, RAW Backstage Live, San Antonio, TX
XXVII Annual Student Exhibition, University of Texas at San Antonio
2011
San Antonio College Juried Student Show.
Press
“Future Currents Exhibition Imagines Disaster and Hope For San Antonio.” Rivard Report, June 7, 2018.
My works are physical representations of internal dialogues, letters written and unwritten, ruminated, selected, erased - a Pandora's box of thoughts and emotions. Shapes and strokes are repeated, obsessed over, then covered completely. Or not so completely. I believe that painting can be a form of exorcism, a way of focusing intense energy that is distilled into a tangible form.
I lean toward the combination of representational and non-representational elements with the hope of invoking multiple levels of meaning for the viewer. Many of my paintings begin as stream of consciousness mark-making and letter-writing, rotating the canvas to build up layers of shapes and texts without protecting the layers beneath, almost like graffiti. I may then spend days on a particular area of a painting, obsessing over it, only to obliterate it in one quick gesture, thereby releasing myself from its grasp, and moving on from it. Like a mini catharsis.
I love creating “obstacles” that I then have to “fix” by editing. I have a love/hate relationship with editing. My subversive side would prefer not to edit at all, to lay everything out just as it is, no second- guessing. My perfectionist side however, feels that some attention should be paid to line, content, form, cohesion. I strive to create a balance between the two.
Though I can appreciate the concept of “less is more,” I think that exploring and pushing the boundaries of “more is more” can be much more interesting and challenging. Can there be harmony in chaos? At what point does chaos go from “acceptable” to “uncomfortable”?
C.V.
Education
May 2013, BFA Summa Cum Laude, concentration in painting and Minor in Art History from the University of Texas at San Antonio.
2010‐2011, attended San Antonio College. Fine arts major.
2005‐2006 attended the University of New Mexico, Fine arts major.
1999‐ 2001 attended the University of New Mexico, Biological Anthropology major. Minor in Spanish.
Awards and scholarships
President's list 2011, 2012, UTSA
Dean's list 2005, 2006 UNM
Lottery scholarship UNM
Exhibitions
2019
Rowdy Women Take Over, TexPopSA, San Antonio, TX
2018
Art to the Brim, Infinity at the Rim, San Antonio. TX
Future Currents, Dock Space Gallery, San Antonio, TX
Common Currents Tricentennial Exhibit, Southwest School of Art, San Antonio, TX
2016
New works, Pam’s Patio Cafe, San Antonio, TX
2015
A Summer Night in SA, group show for St. Pj’s, Brick at Blue Star Art Complex, San Antonio
2013
Doppelganger, Espresso Gallery, San Antonio TX
Goodbye, Paco Cunningham, Melinda Martinez Studio, San Antonio,TX
XXIX Annual Student Exhibition, University of Texas at San Antonio
San Antonio Collegiate Student Exhibition, The San Antonio Art League and Museum
Santikos Legacy Art Project, San Antonio, TX
2012
Solstice, RAW Backstage Live, San Antonio, TX
XXVII Annual Student Exhibition, University of Texas at San Antonio
2011
San Antonio College Juried Student Show.
Press
“Future Currents Exhibition Imagines Disaster and Hope For San Antonio.” Rivard Report, June 7, 2018.