DUMB
My original works coalesce into a sparse population of individuals who are silent in their own moment. The tiny, androgynous figures that I create have limited features and gestures. The subtle, varying shades of color are the only source of detail for these unadorned entities.  These seemingly insignificant figures are immersed in white voids turning the common threads of human interaction into images of reflection.  

In each motionless moment, generic figures are asked to live in their own space while relating to others.  They show relationships, suggest stories that are both blatant and ambiguous with meaning and reflect feelings only felt in intellectual ways. Reminiscent of children, the miniature people seem occasionally naïve and partially unaware though willing to wallow before committing to action.  

The small beings are in situations that mirror the common situations in life that are often thought as unique by the self-interested. Universal instances such as ennui and love make us what we are and make us like everyone else. People feel the same feelings, react in similar ways and share basic experiences of life.

People gain intelligent sensitivity though heightened awareness of themselves in relation to others. They are able to be less like everyone else and become better not in the name of individuality but conscious thought. If a moment of time is still, there is more time to reflect, more time to make realizations.

EVOLUTION OF THE DUMB
My most recent work reflects the inability to pragmatically improve after such realizations. The desire to surpass common interaction and experience life at a higher level leads to the desire for better traits.  Traits such as regeneration, multiple hearts and other superhuman capabilities seem valuable to those who want to be better than what they are.

The evolution of my characters shows the short-sightedness of the effects of such traits. By combining them with the octopus, the abilities to heal more efficiently, become more intelligent, flexible, faster and communicate silently were gained at the expense of sound, sight and speech. Such things are not an affordable loss for those who had little to start.

In addition to the trade of human senses, they still lack understanding, thoughtfulness, and intelligence needed to live and without those, they are still common.