Oil on Canvas

I paint to find my true self- the one buried under years of conditioning that taught me to abandon what was authentic and pure about me. My works are an act of self-empowerment- a reclaiming of a self-respect and self-acceptance that were unconsciously given away at an early age.

I am a representational, expressionistic painter with a focus on the figure. I view the subjects I paint as vessels that house emotions and concepts that are important to me. My work is influenced by East Asian philosophies of Taoism, Buddhism, and the concepts of Wabi Sabi (the beauty of imperfection), fragility, impermanence, and emptiness.

Once finished, each painting always asks me the same question, “Can you accept this reflection of yourself?” My answer doesn’t matter. What matters is that the question has been asked and explored through the process of painting.