Artist Statement – “Pretentious Beer Co.”

This painting continues my exploration of Knoxville’s architecture and the layered character of its local businesses. The scene captures the angled view beneath the sign of Pretentious Beer Co. and Pretentious Glass, a spot where art, craft, and community meet. I was drawn to the way the reflections in the windows mingle with the structure’s bold lines and signage—an image that mirrors Knoxville’s creative energy.

Through my process of transferring magazine ink onto beeswax, I piece together fragments of color and text to build a larger image—much like the way a city’s identity is built from overlapping stories, people, and places. Each surface holds memory and motion, a reminder that architecture is more than structure; it’s a reflection of who we are and what we create together.