One of the most important things I try to convey in my art is a strong sense of emotion that can evoke empathetic reactions within my viewer. Since my work mainly revolves around characters and visual storytelling, translating emotions from the 2D plane into real life is a constant push and pull. I enjoy creating unique characters with interesting--and uninteresting--lives and backstories. Then I take the time to develop the worlds they live in, focusing on even the littlest of details: what’s their favorite color, where do they like to shop, are they a morning person or do they stay up until 3 AM?

I find inspiration in the world and the people around me. I tend to pay attention to how people real-life live and act, and I try to replicate this in a slightly more idealized way through my work. While I work, I’m always thinking of, “how do I get others to connect with these fictional characters?” I do all these things in the hopes that I can cultivate a feeling of realism and familiarity within my viewers.

To me, digital art is not only a very convenient medium, but it is also a more forgiving medium--all the tools and effects available to use allow me to experiment in ways that help achieve a myriad of feelings in my work. In the end, what I want is for my viewers to feel empathetic to the characters I create and recreate, to appreciate and be receptive to the very emotions that make us all human.