statement of intent

I am thrilled to express my enthusiasm and intentions to serve as the Artist In Residence for the Paseo Community. I am an Austin-based musician and multidisciplinary artist with an extensive background in music composition, music performance, electric bass, voice, songwriting, and jewelry making/clay sculpting. I am committed to connecting artistic communities by incorporating my experience in writing and performing rock, indie, folk, contemporary classical and progressive metal music into my work. This would be an ideal opportunity to develop my practice further with the help of the artistic freedom and financial relief that the residency provides. I intend to contribute meaningfully to the growing Paseo community through musical performance, educational initiatives and offerings, art classes, and community engagement events throughout my time as the Artist In Residence at Paseo. 

During my time at Paseo, I plan to contribute to the vibrant Downtown Austin Music scene by continuing my frequent performances (including a weekly residency with Konzi Band at Parlor Room on Rainey Street) and concerts, participating in art markets, creating jewelry, and commercially releasing music. I will continue to create and sell new collections for my handmade jewelry business, Indie Honeybee Jewelry. Alongside performing and creating visual artwork, I also intend to continue to commercially release music with my active musical projects: my indie and classically influenced solo project Feels Like Honey, and my progressive metal band, Blank Slate. The flexible and innovative initiatives of the Paseo Residency will give me the freedom to contribute to the vibrant artistic community in Austin by pursuing the many multifaceted interests that I specialize in.

As a musician and artist, I understand the importance of event facilitation and community engagement. With an extensive background in musical event hosting, planning, performing, touring, and music education, I can facilitate a vibrant and engaging creative community at Paseo. This could include hosting events such as musical performances, open mic nights, jewelry workshops, general music lessons, book clubs, creative marketing courses, and songwriting workshops. I am capable of growing Paseo’s new residential community by encouraging collaboration and engagement with all artists of different backgrounds and experience levels. Jon Vokal, my fiance and the guitarist of Blank Slate, will also be living with me during my time at Paseo. As we are both experienced professional musicians, our hope is to provide a unique opportunity to be actively involved in Paseo performances and community initiatives together as a team. I aim to connect with local creatives in the Austin area and foster deeper connections within the broader Austin artistic environment.

Being an Artist In Residence would support my artistic practice in many ways. The residency would provide me with plenty of creative freedom and productivity, enabled by financial stability, community involvement, and close proximity to Austin’s thriving artistic scene, allowing me to advance my artistic career in meaningful ways. Being in the heart of downtown Austin opens the door for more performance and networking opportunities, spontaneous collaboration with other Austin-based artists, and easier participation in events and concerts. Having a provided living space supports my financial and creative momentum for more Blank Slate and Feels Like Honey releases, composing work, jewelry creation, and art market events. This residency will monumentally help to support my long-term artistic practice by allowing me to fully immerse myself in my musical projects and dedicate the time and resources that they deserve to be sustained throughout my life, giving  me the freedom to transform the trajectory of my career.

I am excited about the prospect of being Paseo’s Artist In Residence. Paseo’s dedication to working with an artist that is disruptive, emotive, compelling, and actively producing art aligns directly with my current and future practice as a multidisciplinary artist that performs in multiple musical styles. It will be a catalyst for both my personal artistic growth, as well as growth within the Paseo community and the greater Austin music scene. This residency will shape my work as an artist not just for the year that I’m there, but for the rest of my life. It would be an honor to be considered for the Paseo Artist In Residence Program.