Everyone will experience vulnerability in their life, a time where they will be unable to help themselves either physically or emotionally. As an active paramedic I have assisted individuals that are unable to help themselves. Mahatma Gandhi said, "A nation's greatness is measured by how it treats its weakest members." It is not my intention to show societal weakness, but expressing a version of human experience. I am presenting a series of paintings that express a weak point in someone's life, a lapse in judgement or a biological anomaly and the possible consequences that follow.

Each artwork is painted life size to allow the viewer to become a participant in that experience. It is important for me to share these scenes because I believe it will help the viewer connect to humanity. Their is no escaping the feeling of vulnerability, it is blind to skin color, social status, and age. Once we have connected with others in their experience of helplessness, we can better understand how to help and support one another.

None of these images are of the actual scene or of the actual person. I used models and set up the scene correlating to the image that is seared in my mind. It is not important to capture the exact look, but to capture the feeling of the scene. As an emergency responder I have learned to not react to a shocking scene, because if I emotionally respond to the scene at that moment it could be paralyzing, which would provide undesirable results. I have to place my emotions deep until after I have delivered the patient to definitive care. These paintings help me process, emotionally and physically, the vast experiences I have had with others.

Most of the art pieces were given two names: a phrase or word describing the experience and the emergency dispatch code.

The University of Utah
Master of Fine Arts, 2008

Brigham Young University

Bachelor of Fine Arts, 2005