My path as an artist is heavily influenced by my interest in psychology and art therapy. This passion influences my work in photography and often makes it mimic the two paths of art therapy. On one hand, art as therapy where I use image-making as a creative, meditative practice often involving serene and peaceful images of nature. On the other, art for therapy, where I explore memories and emotions through my pictures as a form of processing my life and the world around me, gaining a sense of catharsis. These two forms of photography have seemed to follow me throughout my path as a photographer interweaving themselves into my work in new a surprising way whenever I create a new project. While photography is the main modality of these expressions, I also find the combination of other art forms with my work to enhance and further develop my images. Specifically editing photos in the space between editing and digital painting. I often find myself creating new works from my photographs through hours of editing at my computer. As I continue to further my education, I notice my art evolving and exploring different aspects of psychology, blending my background in photography with the knowledge I gain studying psychology on my path to become a therapist.
I have a passion for helping people with their mental health and would love to one day focus on the treatment of trauma-related disorders. I intend to do this by studying emerging therapies for trauma, including art therapy and EMDR, and biofeedback. Currently, I am a photo major with an Art Therapy minor at Columbus College of Art & Design, gaining important knowledge to further my understanding of photography and art’s place in the world of mental health treatment as well as my own life. For myself, photography has acted as a tool for catharsis, meditation, and personal expression. Although I have explored many other media, I have always been pulled back to photography as my main modality. This is due to it being an art form that I have the most control over and results in finished products that feel the most truthful to my creative intention. After Graduation, I intend to continue my education through a counselor education master’s program, resulting in licensure so I can begin my practice. This will allow me to eventually open a private practice that will facilitate creative modalities as a form of treatment in a space that is actually built for them.
Thank you!