Artist’s
statement

My art is rooted in exploring human connection, character, and emotion. I am drawn to people and trying to capture the essence of individuals on canvas. This pursuit often becomes an embodied experience when I sometimes catch myself mirroring the expressions I am drawing. My current work addresses the formal issues of capturing personality and emotion, with a particular focus on the stages of life, aging and the transient state of girlhood/childhood. I have turned to my family as subjects—faces I know well. Through portraiture, I strive for likeness, but also for a sense of lived experience.

I experiment across diverse media and am mostly self-taught. This has been particularly challenging with oil paint, which I began working with in 2024. YouTube videos have helped me a lot. The Covid quarantine allowed me time to delve into digital drawing, where I now experiment with a more painterly style. This is complemented by my love for traditional sketching media, including colored pencils, charcoal, and graphite. An eclectic approach to media allows me to choose what best serves the needs and idea of each piece.

My art is informed by Gustav Klimt, who interests me because of his ability to merge fully rendered, emotional faces with patterned design. This juxtaposition, where ornamental patterns transcend the boundaries of objects and clothing, feeds my interest in texture and the potential of design.