ABOUT THE ARTIST
Graceful Madness's artistic practice is an exercise in multidisciplinary exploration, merging the organic and the digital, the traditional and the contemporary, the tangible and the abstract. With meticulous attention to detail, Graceful Madness constructs intricate visual narratives that convey a profound sense of mystery and allure.
Drawing inspiration from the rich history of art and the most current technological innovations, and a lifetime passion for photography, Graceful Madness's creations are a testament to the power of imagination and the potential for creative expression to transcend boundaries. Graceful Madness's mastery of color contrasts larger themes of mortality, longing and fragility, challenging viewers to confront the complexities of the human experience.
Using wit, irony and playful seduction while juxtaposing themes of beauty and cruelty, Graceful Madness offers a striking visual commentary on the world we inhabit. The work invites contemplation on the delicate balance between light and darkness, hope and despair. Employing an evocative and thought-provoking conceptual framework, the collections portray a deep sense of introspection, inspiring and enticing the observer to examine the infinite possibilities of the human spirit, fueling their creative passions.
I am often asked about my creative process. While I am happy to share, it can be challenging to articulate. It's a dynamic, organic process that evolves with each new creation. Each piece begins with original photography, some from archives spanning years of work. Pieces are birthed from other pieces, or from combining various elements together in unexpected ways. One final image may contain over twenty other images layered and painted into it. I constantly shift between different mediums and platforms, adding and subtracting elements as I go. Digital painting and drawing breathe new life into the art, and from there I often restart the entire process. The resulting layers of imagery each possess a distinct energy that intertwines to form a new narrative, complete with unique characters that maintain their original essence amidst change. We are all connected in the end.
I put my first piece into the world as Graceful Madness in July 2022 to challenge myself to simply make what I felt and follow no rules. The anonymity of the project freed me of my inhibitions and the fear of judgement which had been holding me back for so long. The result, complete creative freedom. I never expected anyone would see it.
With each new piece, I strive to capture and convey the essence of my vision in a way that resonates with others. My artistic journey is driven by an urge to explore new perspectives and to push the limits of possibility and my approach is intuitive more than technical. Lights, angles, faces, places, feelings, and people are what drive me. No matter what or where, I am always inspired - shooting, planning, watching, listening, imagining. . . I can see the beauty and complexity in anything if I look at it long enough.
