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Come see me IRL
2025 has felt like at least three lifetimes so far. Bouts of heavy illness, multiple endometriosis flare ups, and general anxiety and fear over things happening in this country and world have made each day feel like an effort to just stay afloat. It seems a bit silly to write a newsletter about what shows I have coming up and what I’ve been doing in the studio. But I also think it’s important to continue connecting with the various communities we’ve built - this being one of them for me.
That being said, I’ve also been desiring more in-person connection in ways that feel sustainable for me (extroverted introvert or whatever). I finally took the leap to delete the Instagram app off my phone. The first days were significantly harder for me than I anticipated, showing me just how addicted and dependent I was. Almost a week in now, it’s gotten easier and I’ve realized how little I was actually doing on that app - literally just mindlessly tapping through peoples’ stories, doing my rounds of creeping (oops!), and not actually consuming any content.
So, an invitation to come hang out with me in person at these openings :). I’ve been focusing a lot on making work and getting ready for these shows, and in so doing have been consciously cutting back on social time. I am extremely grateful for opportunities to show my work amongst that of artists I admire, and I really hope to get back into connecting more one-on-one with friends soon after the dust settles a bit.
Underbelly at the Olin Fine Arts Center, Washington & Jefferson College | February 28-March 30, 2025
Curated by Carolina Alamilla and Britny Wainwright
Featured Artists: Bridgette Bogle, Katie Coughlin, Christina Femiano, Karen Lue, Cat Mailloux, Lilith Smith
I’ll be attending the opening reception and curator’s talk on Friday, February 28 from 6-7:30PM. This is one of my first times showing outside of Pittsburgh, so it’s a really exciting opportunity in my career.
2 Years of Exhibitions at Bottom Feeder Books | March 1-March 29, 2025
This stacked line-up features past and future exhibiting artists. Bottom Feeder is one of my favorite spots in the city - Ryan not only has an unmatched selection of books but puts on stellar shows. Opening reception is Saturday, March 1st from 6-8PM and the show is on view through the month of March.
every speck of dust illuminated at Tomayko Foundation | March 14-April 18, 2025
In collaboration with Associated Artists of Pittsburgh and juried by Patrick Bova & Lucas Regazzi of april april
Featured Artists: Alexandra Lakin, Karen Lue, Erin Mallea, Joseph Ryznar, Shori Sims
I’m stoked to be showing at a new space in Pittsburgh. Working with Patrick and Lucas has been a dream and I’m excited to be exhibiting some brand new work. Opening reception is Friday, March 14th from 6-8PM!
What I’m Looking At
In preparation for these exhibitions as well as our upcoming Distillery residency show in April, I’ve really just been looking at my own work, trying to hone in on producing and finalizing a new project. It has been hard not to share much about it because honestly I am very excited and energized about what has been happening in the studio. In an effort to not give too much away, I’m including a snippet of a lil collage from printer paper prints I’ve been playing around with that won’t be making it into any exhibition.
I do want to shout out the Gertrude Abercrombie show at the Carnegie Museum of Art. In my opinion, it is one of the best shows the CMOA has put on in a long time. And as someone who went in not knowing anything about the artist, I was very impressed by the work itself and the way it was presented. I think when we think of surrealist women painters, we automatically go to Frida Kahlo, but Abercrombie was also a significant figure in this movement, and I loved learning about her connection to and how she was influenced by jazz greats in the Chicago scene like Dizzy Gillespie. The show is up through June 1st, so you have plenty of time to check it out if you haven’t yet.
What I’m Listening To
I started taking voice lessons in January with friend Elizabeth aka Fig and it has been something I’ve looked forward to every other week. I’m working on Faye Wong’s Mandarin rendition of “Dreams” by The Cranberries, so that’s been on rotation, as well as this track:
If you know you know how much of an icon she is, but if you don’t know, I’m inserting one of her famous fits below. The first time I watched Chungking Express in high school, I became enamored with her and the feeling has stuck a bit I guess.
Finally, I wanted to express sincere thanks for the response to my last newsletter. It was cathartic to write and I’m glad it resonated with many of you. I am going to move towards posting more regularly and sharing narrative writing and other unseen photos with my paid subscribers. So, if that is something you’re interested in, please consider a monthly subscription. I understand that $5/month is not feasible for everyone, so truly even just reading my newsletters is greatly, greatly appreciated. Sending love <3