Artist Statement
My artwork is inspired by the interconnected themes of growth and destruction found in nature. I use memories of the Kansas landscape to create paintings that reflect inner emotions, which could be described as internal landscapes. Color plays a crucial role in my pieces, setting the mood for the experiences I aim to convey, such as admiration, amazement, fear, anxiety, and curiosity. I am particularly interested in the concept of accumulation and the sense of time it represents. My art is not limited to a single moment or emotion; rather, it captures multiple times, memories, and feelings as they transition into one another. In my work, anxiety and beauty coexist, illustrating that within the fear of the unknown, there can also be moments of beauty.
About Me
I was born and raised in Garden City, Kansas. I received my Bachelor of Fine Arts from Fort Hays State University and my Master of Fine Arts from the University of Kansas. I currently live and work in Lawrence, Kansas, and I am a part of a studio collective called The Lawrence Paint Haus. I am currently an adjunct instructor/Artist in Residence at the University of Central Missouri, teaching Painting and Life Drawing.
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I upload in progress work and more on my Instagram, found here!
This example portfolio website features work from the following photographers:
Aaron Paden