“I used to think I was the strangest person in the world but then I thought there are so many people in the world, there must be someone just like me who feels bizarre and flawed in the same ways I do. I would imagine her, and imagine that she must be out there thinking of me too. Well, I hope that if you are out there and read this and know that, yes, it's true I'm here, and I'm just as strange as you.” - Frida Kahlo

My work has always been a reflection on my inner world. From the time I was little to the present day, the collages I create are an attempt to illustrate how I see the world around me. Recently, I’ve been using my art as a way to illustrate the visions I have during meditation.

I started out doing all my work by hand. The tactile quality of creating hand-made work was something I cherished. But of course, when one moves out of their small hometown in Minnesota to New York City, one doesn’t necessarily have the available space to create a full-scale traditional collage.

Digital collage is something I’ve recently started working with. Living in a tiny New York apartment really forced me to get to know my computer. It was definitely one of those ‘happy accident’ situations. My work has grown leaps and bounds since using digital media.

SPACEWOMb Gallery - Symbiosis - 2012
Two of my pieces were featured in the SPACEWOMb Gallery show, Symbiosis in May 2012. The pieces included were my ‘Transcendental’ piece and my ‘In This World’ piece. They can be found on my website. This gallery is located in New York City (Queens).

Everything is Art Magazine – Featured Artist – 2012
Three of my pieces were featured in the April 15th issue of ‘Everything is Art’ Magazine. The Pieces included were ‘Transcendental’, 'Run' and ‘Lucid’. All of these images can by found on their website and my website.

The Art of Fashion - Sprint 2012 Juried Art Exhibition and Fashion Show Night - 2012
Two of my pieces were shown at the Art of Fashion Pop Up Gallery at the Empire Hotel Rooftop and Lounge in Manhattan during their Sprint 2012 Juried Art Exhibition and Fashion Show Night. The pieces that were shown were 'North' and 'Indigo Child'. Both of these images can be found on my website. 

DEN|ART NY Open House – Featured Artist – 2012
Five of my pieces were included in the DEN|ART NY Open House Party in Brooklyn, New York. The pieces included were, ‘Transcendental’, ‘In This World’, ‘Star Girl’, ‘Lucid’ and ‘Gnosis’. All of these images can be found on my website.

Housing Works Fundraiser – Freelance Illustrator – 2012
I was hired to design the flyer for the Housing Works fundraiser, ‘Cocktails and Cuisine’.

College of Visual Arts – Alumni Illustration Online Gallery – 2012
Three of my pieces are featured on the College of Visual Arts website in their ‘Illustration Alumni’ gallery. The pieces included are ‘Transcendental’, ‘In This World’, and ‘Gnosis’. This gallery can be found on the CVA website.

Fox Tax Gallery - Entanglement - 2011
One of my pieces was featured in the Fox Tax Gallery show, Entanglement in December 2011. The piece that was included is titled, ‘The Spartan Queen’. It can be found on my website. This gallery is located in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Michelle Denardo LLC – Freelance Illustrator- 2011
I was hired as a freelance artist to create an album cover for Brett Saxon, a folk artist under the Michelle Denardo LLC record label.

Workbook The Next Generation Top 5 : 4th Place - 2011
I took 4th place in the Workbook The Next Generation Competition. This is a national competition for illustrators and photographers. http://www.workbook.com/blog/3522

College of Visual Arts - Senior Show - Connected - 2011
This show featured final thesis work from everyone in the 2011 graduating class. I had all seven of my pieces featured. My thesis was about chakra meditation, and the work was seven illustrated chakra posters. This gallery is located in St Paul, Minnesota.

Rock The Cause : Glitter Ball 4 “A Night in Andy Warhol’s Factory” - 2011
I was invited to show 20 pieces in this Minneapolis based event, one of which was auctioned off and donated to charity. This event was recognized by the Andy Warhol Foundation.

Monkey Business – Gallery - 2010 to 2011
My work was being shown and sold at the alternative lifestyle store, Monkey Business in Minneapolis, Minnesota. My work was removed in May of 2011 when the store closed down.

CVA Junior Spotlight Exhibition, The Office of Saint Paul Mayor Chris Coleman - 2010
This was a chance for my junior class at The College of Visual Arts to have a gallery showing at the Mayor Chris Coleman’s office. The show ran for two months. This gallery is located in St Paul, Minnesota.

College of Visual Arts - Foundation Show - 2007
My first year at CVA I was featured in their annual Foundation Year show. I had two drawings, one 2D design assignment, and a Fluxus Zine publication. This gallery is located in St Paul, Minnesota.
 

Workbook The Next Generation Top 5 : 4th Place, 2011 : http://www.workbook.com/blog/3522