My aesthetic philosophy has changed dramatically over the years even though some core aspects have remained the same. In high school I was definitely a realist... then in college I leapt to the opposite end of the spectrum by embracing formalism... and eventually in grad school my artwork became much more expressionistic. I would say that my style now is still very introspective, but mixing elements of both realism and the abstract. Instead of sticking to just one style, it varies according to what I think will represent the individual idea best. Some trends that I have noticed in my work include that I'm drawn to creating overall compositions that lack a focal point, appropriating objects, using unusual materials (like coffee), incorporate a lot of repetition, and my use of art as a tool to better understand myself. My style has always been very organic yet pretty controlled... and a bit compulsive at times. Concerning materials, I love drawing above all other media because it is how I most naturally express my ideas. However, I also favor painting, photography, collage, and sculpture.