Growing up in a culture dominated by media, I was often taken by the graphic design of the 50's and 60's and its use of bold color and exaggerated images. Many of the themes of my art are tongue in cheek references to the importance of "decorum and propriety" that seemed to be so important in the world I grew up in. My business name (The Charm School Dropout) is a nod to this. I make mixed media artwork about the interplay of illusion and reality, as an American woman living in this particular moment in time. My hope is to evoke both the satirical and the sincere. Currently, I am interested in exploring the veil of bootstrapping, the “rugged individual”, and the American work mentality and its moral weight. I am also keen to explore these subjects by staying true to my own experience, not to tell the story of another person, but to use my own story as a means of connection to the viewer. Although these topics may read heavy handed, I work to contrast that with the use of what has traditionally been seen as lighthearted. Original mixed media artwork. Mixed Media collages that combine starch based digital serigraphs created on Procreate, photo transfers, illustration, ink and paint washes. All pieces are mounted on a hand built pinewood box frame and coated with a clear gloss epoxy resin. Each piece is signed and dated on the back.