My artwork takes a critical view of social, political, and cultural issues. I am a figurative painter who works in contemporary realism using acrylic and oil paint. I use my paintings to relate to others and the world around me, and contemporary realism helps me convey complex thoughts and issues. It is my goal as an artist to be as inclusive as possible, so I depict subjects who are underrepresented in media.
“Woman of Color” is a social criticism of the societal expectation for people of color to conform to white ideals. I created the piece after attending a Black Lives Matter protest, with Breonna Taylor and George Floyd in mind. “Woman of Color” depicts a black woman surrounded by rainbow-like colors. I used a bright, colorful palette to represent the vibrancy and uniqueness of different cultures. The subject is surrounded by a white border and is preventing herself from being overtaken by white paint—a symbol for white-washing and eurocentricity. Even though this white border of expectation and injustice surrounds her, she still brings her own color and strength to the canvas.