Born August 17, 1970 as Cassie Lawn Quillen in Lewes, Delaware. She moved to Philly in 1989. Graduated from AIPH in 1992 with a degree in Graphic Design. Sent to London, England for six months in 1998 while working for Pricewaterhouse Coopers to work with a London team on an interactive training CD. Moved to Los Angeles late August 2001, two weeks before 9/11. Returned to Delaware May 2002, and worked remotely for Fox Searchlight Pictures for four months. Took up yoga and meditation and lost her mind for a few years. There was a lot of traveling in there. Later moved to Wilmington, Delaware and married Jamie Walker. They have a son, Riley. And that’s it so far.
Artist Statement
Art has always been an escape for me. I graduated from the Art Institute of Philadelphia back in ‘92 and have worked as a graphic designer ever since. After a day of clients and creative directors trying to control my creative juice, I’d like to come home and work on something that’s all mine. Almost two years ago I had a son and he has greatly influenced my love for everything cute. I buy toys for him and always ended up picking up something for myself too. In the past year I’ve discovered the whole Lowbrow/Pop Surrealism movement and between that and running out of room in my home to store canvas I started spending more time with each painting resulting in a more detailed realistic piece versus the expressionism I was painting before. I think age and motherhood has really taught me to slow down and savor the love that goes into each piece. These days I am greatly influenced by what’s happening on the streets and in tattoo parlors. Graffiti is becoming a respectable art form in some parts of the world. And for some graffiti artist, like Os Gemoses and Miss Van, their creations can now be found, not only on the streets, but on gallery walls and as designer toys sold at places like kidrobot.com – a place I shop at frequently. This underground movement has given me a foundation for my art and an artistic home. Another love, going back much further, is also greatly influencing what I paint and draw. I have always looked for answers, for things I could never quit explain with mainstream explanations, in the realm of the mysterious and various “-ism’s”. While I realize some things will only be answered in death, I enjoy playing with the symbols and imagery of ancient schools of thought. Well, for me a symbol is much more than just an image. For me they hold a power, an energy gathered by the collective thoughts of a society that has worshiped them over the years – just look at how the impact of the cross of Christ affects so many. All of this leaves me creating works, that while cute and child-like on the surface, have well thought out imagery pulled from ancient wisdom as well as a surreal element to keep their realities a little questionable – for I believe one should always question their realities.
Awards
Delaware Division of Arts, Emerging Artists Fellowship Grant, Wilmington, DE, 2006
Exhibitions
July 2 – October 24, 2010 – Biggs Museum, Dover, DE (Award Winners X and Reunion show of the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) fellowship winners)
May 2010 – Red Mohawk, Wilmington, DE (Group show)
December 2009 – 205 Lavinia Street, Milton, DE (Group show)
October 2009 – Amandeline Gallery, Rehoboth, DE (Group show)
April 2009 – AB&C Advertising Agency, Wilmington, DE (Group show)
March 2007 – Fish On!, Lewes, DE (Solo show)
March 2007 – Amandeline Gallery, Rehoboth, DE (Group show)
November 2006 – Delaware Division of Arts Gallery, Carvel State Building, Wilmington, DE (Solo show)
June 2006 – Biggs Museum, Dover, DE (group show of the Delaware Division of the Arts (DDOA) fellowship winners)
March 2006 – DCOR, Rehoboth Beach, DE (Solo show)
December 2005 – February 2006 – AIPH, Philadelphia, PA (Group show)
October 2005 - 205 Lavinia Street, Milton, DE (Solo show)
March 2005 - 205 Lavinia Street, Milton, DE (Solo show)
To view my design portfolio, click here.
