Artist Statement
My body of artwork explores my journey dealing with grief, loss, anxiety, and depression in the form of portraiture. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I became interested in expressing the plight of others who have demonstrated great courage in the face of adversity. In particular, I was drawn to the stories of healthcare workers and the impact of the pandemic on the individual and our global village.
During this time, I also witnessed the intersection of two pandemics: COVID-19 and racism. 2020 saw a rash of protests arise against racial oppression and brutality. Many of my portraits reflect this racial reckoning and combine images from both a historical and contemporary context.
Other pieces in my collection depict social justice issues, investigate human rights abuses, and celebrate stories of courage and excellence in individuals who have faced overwhelming barriers.
Prior to the pandemic, most of my paintings I created were self-portraits and illustrate the internal strife I have suppressed since my childhood in regards to the loss of my mother at an early age and the anxiety that developed in my latter years.
Turbulent water, powerful text, cracked deserts, swirling hair, fluid lines, toxic smoke, vivid reflections, and breathtaking canyons are the images that consistently appear in my pieces. Water, in particular, reflects the chaotic flow of ruminating thoughts, overthinking and overwhelming emotions that accompany generalized anxiety disorder. I often juxtapose water against serene skies, deserts, or canyons to emphasize the delicate balance between controlled and out of control emotions and the “all or nothing” thinking that accompanies an anxious brain.
My paintings are done in acrylic paint but some contain small bits of mixed media such as handwritten notes and gel transfers of text. A few pieces have acrylic pouring liquid that spills off the edges of the canvas to symbolize the overflow of emotion and thought that can no longer be contained inside the body. The fluid and organic lines of Art Nouveau have influenced my artwork greatly and there are always undulating shapes and lines that course through my backgrounds to illustrate the constant movement of mind and emotions.
While my artwork began with a focus on self-portraits, it has shifted to tell the stories of individuals from a variety of marginalized communities and backgrounds that have defied the odds in the midst of unfathomable experiences. By moving beyond my own journey to capture these powerful stories of resilience and bravery, I hope to inspire change. My recent artwork acts as a historical record of some of the most impactful stories that have touched our local community and global village. What started out as a way to process my own anxiety has turned into a collection of courageous portraits that offer hope, connection, and illustrate the deep well of emotions that is part of the human experience.