Your work often explores Americana, magical thinking, and the exploration of memory. Why does it feel important for you to release this work right now? What is your work saying about life in America at this particular moment in time? In truth, the first character I truly discovered while writing this story was the landscape of the post-industrial midwest. The rustbelt. The history of the rustbelt is that of abandonment, struggle, and mutilated memory in the form of old buildings in overgrown fields. When industry left the midwest in the 80’s to pursue cheaper labor across seas, cities like Detroit and Rockford, IL became hinterlands. The capitalist order that kept the single-income family unit functioning like a tight machine of productivity and social reproduction deteriorated over the last 40 years. People who were once proud to hold a factory job that could feed a whole family are now working perpetual temp jobs, mothers forced to hold multiple jobs and raise kids, often alone. The interesting thing to me is that when people see these spaces, they often glorify the memory of what they once were, but I’ve come to think of the rustbelt’s story arch as a sort of abandoned father wound. The industrial powers left people without the means to uphold the illusion of the American dream, while being forced to pretend it was still a viable or attainable way to live. A fever dream lasting almost half a century, manifested in the lives of individuals and families forced into a pathological normal way of life, surrounded by the ghosts and bones of an old world they pretend is still alive. But, from those ashes emerges an ancient story of rebirth, new growth and self-discovery. But, only if those immersed are willing to discover a new way of life, and heal from the wounds of the past. What has been the most rewarding aspect of your artistic career thus far? The most rewarding aspect of my artistic career has been the absolutely exuberant feeling of learning the craft. It’s like the thrill of climbing trees, the higher you go into a certain idea or aspect, the more risks you take and the more skill you need to go to those places. Exploring the world in this way is one of my greatest joys in life. What’s next for you and your art? What are you excited about for the rest of the year? In this last month, I made a big move to LA in order to pursue further refining my craft in the fine art world with printed works, as we’ll see in this body of work, and also in filmmaking. In 2024 I plan to spend the majority of my time writing, developing new techniques and relaxing in nature with loved ones.