Mark making itself is a subconscious practice. Studying these marks allow me to notice when I am nervous, or when I am my most free, leading me to ask, am I really in control of even my most personal paintings? The complexity of my own psyche is an interest that I aim to dive deeper into in order to gain more understanding of the canvas.

My paintings are my vulnerabilities represented through self-portraiture and therefore self-reflection, as I grow into an individual. I use the figure as an inspiration point to create a frame of reference, combined through multiple reference imagery. Surrounding the figure are symbolic objects, all representing my personhood. Specific areas that are tightly rendered, and loose, gestural marks all work in juxtaposition with posed figures of different sizes. The combination of traditionally rendered figures with the conceptual atmosphere coheres as they give insight into a subconscious playing field. By exploring themes of change, death, desire, and self-reflection, I strive to open a conversation about the intensity of life that comes with growth.

I position figures in peculiar settings that seem familiar, their actions cooperating with a dream- like atmosphere filled with vibrancy and intensity. Comparison between the scale of the self- portraits and neighboring symbolic objects allow for themes of the surreal to come forward. Tightly rendered areas contrasted by loosely depicted sectioned allows for the eye to see just as much as I deem important and the room for gestural movements creates the space for imagination.