My video work is directly tied into my work as a fine artist. Through video I have explored my relationship with my mental health and the pandemic. Howdy Doo (2020) represents how I felt at the beginning of the pandemic, following a routine, not doing much in the day, keeping a positive attitude but becoming easily distressed. Holding onto support from others that I could not physically be with. Embracing myself but slowly slipping into a sense of delusion while holding onto things that hold sentimental value. What to Do Today (2021) was created much deeper into the pandemic, after struggling in isolation for over a year, my mental health diminished greatly. The video is a direct representation of the thoughts that were flying through my head. I eventually got more intensive outpatient care that helped me gain the tools I needed. Making this work not only helped me release the thoughts and judgements in my mind, but is a personal marker of completing the program and being able to put those difficult times into artwork. In the future I intend to continue on my path of expressing my inner world through video art.
I had the amazing opportunity to work on the following short films with Dottie Aschwanden for Campus Movie Fest. In each short film I held a different role, in Board Game (2020) I was the main one behind the camera. It was one of the first times I collaborated with Dottie and used my skills for another person’s vision. I very much enjoyed the process and absolutely want to do it again. In B E C O M I N G (2020) I took on anther role of being the lead story builder/ producer. B E C O M I N G (2020) ended up winning the National Jury Award at Campus Movie Fest which was a great honor. Working on that project was really fun and being able to build a story with others and create a vision that became so recognized was amazing. Timeless (2021) was really fun, I worked as primarily an actor, with occasional aids as a videographer and story builder. It was really fun and unique to understand what it takes to be apart of the on screen talent within short film. In the future I hope to collaborate more with Dottie and others, ideally as a story builder or a videographer, which were my favorite roles thus far. To see more of Dottie’s work visit their website here.