About Me:
I am a senior at Brooklyn College majoring in Art History with a minor in Women and Gender Studies. Although my career goal is to be a librarian, I have always loved art and crafting. My art (specifically my photography and collage work) is mainly based on identity, the exploration of gender, sexuality, and the LGBTQ community. My other work like embroidery and jewelry are done mostly for personal/fun and shop purposes, which you can read more about my Etsy shop (Glittery Grandpa) and why I sell certain items below as well. Photography: I started using 35mm film in 2014, photographing anything and everything I could. I have now moved on to portraits (a mix of film and digital), drawing my compositional inspiration from Cindy Sherman. My subject matter is a mix if my life experiences and my model's experiences. Although I often have my models dress up, they always have a say in what they are wearing and their identity still lies within the intended theme(s) of the image. Collage: I only began making collages in 2016, originally working with polaroids adding pressed flowers, painting on them, and adding different textured backgrounds. My collages have always included my own photography, sometimes I know what I'm using the photos for when I take them, sometimes I don't. My recent collages are made using construction paper and an X-ACTO knife, and they are almost always portraits as well. I have already done two commissioned portraits, and can't wait to expand my skill by making more. Embroidery: I only recently started to embroider, after embroidering a print for my photography class. I have embroidered on many different types of fabric since then, and I really enjoy it as a fun pass time. Embroidery is a craft that I wish was more popular, I believe it is one of the most fun crafts to do in a group setting and on the go. My embroidery is mostly done for commission, gifts, and for fun. I would love to start doing some meaningful portraits in the future, but right now I am focusing on my photography and collages. Jewelry: I have always made jewelry since I was a kid, moving from beads to friendship bracelets, and now to beading again. Brightly colored glass beads and little plastic toys bring me back to my childhood, so I use my jewelry as a way to express the way that I miss being a child, wearing bright colors and not having to ever worry about practicality. I mostly make earrings because have always loved eccentric earrings, I will wear them forever. I make my earrings from little toys, pom-poms, thrifted beads, and vintage glass beads. I believe that fun earrings (and jewelry in general) are a great way to remind us to have a little bit of fun everyday and bring us back to that joy of youth. Crystal Jewelry: Unlike my eccentric jewelry, my crystal earrings have a completely different purpose. Similarly, they are meant to spread positivity and provide a sense of comfort. I have been into spiritual healing and crystals for years, and have always found comfort in the way specific crystals help me in many ways. I thought I would wrap and collect crystals to sell them by meaning on my Etsy, because many people want to wear them but don't know what they mean and what the crystal is supposed to help them with, and which ones go well together. This knowledge requires vast research of crystals, and I believe not everyone has the time to learn but could use the help of crystals in their lives. I believe wearing certain crystals can really help people with basic everyday struggles and well being. |