Totally Mi!

My art inspires me, all art in existence inspires me, people inspire me, and everything around me is inspiring whether it is reflected in my art or not. If I inspire someone else or someone really loves my art -- it makes me happy. I have a strong desire to make an impact. I pay no mind to if the impact is positive or negative. I create art as an outlet for my emotions. My art is very much a reflection of myself. When I create art I feel as if all of my emotions are flowing out from me and on to my paper! My stresses and sorrows are relieved. If I can express an unpleasant feeling for someone that they cannot express themselves and bring a slight bit of cheer and creativity to the unhappiness of everyday life, I am pleased. Life is not always happy and I express those stressful, depressing, and unhappy feelings through my cute and creative characters. I hope that at least one of them can find their way in to every life, home, and facet of society. My artwork has been described as Tim Burton-esque, Independent Comic Art, Gothic Art, and the like. I agree with this in a way because my work is dark, quirky, and very alternative, yet cute. My characters are what I like to refer to as, Charm School Rejects. Many of the girls are in suites, school girl outfits, uniforms, and other types of attire. Some of the girls are a little more cultural than others, sporting kimonos and fancy head-dresses. Nonetheless, all of the girls are emotional showing high levels of stress and even sorrow. Their adorable faces, beautiful eyes, blush painted cheeks, and dark eye circles show much of their individual personalities. They are alternative, punk, dark, trashy, and otherwise not commonly accepted by society. The girls are often outcasts and show a disconnection from what is ‘normal’. I really feel that every woman (and some men) can relate at least one of my creations to their daily life. Almost all woman are emotional in one way or another be it stress at work, trying to be superwoman at home, feeling overwhelmed, constantly caffeinated, over worked and under paid, or any other feelings of distress you may have… I bet I have a girl that you can relate to! Don’t get me wrong… I am not a feminist or anything! I simply haven’t found a way to include men in my art yet. I do have some designs that a lot of guys really dig because they are less ‘chick’. Much of my work is accompanied by skulls, spider webs, bats, cherries, stars, hearts, fire, and tons of other items (many inspired by traditional tattoo art) that put my feelings on the page and give my work more character.