Art has always been a way for me to communicate what I can’t say with words…

“self image” is a testimony and a farewell to the past 18 years of my life. Although the painting doesn’t look anything like me, it represents me in all the ways that matter; it reflects what I’ve been through, the sacrifices my family has made, my fondest memories and worst moments, as well as the opportunities and experiences I’ve been able to take advantage of, both living in Southeast Alaska and spending a year abroad in Europe in 2016-17. From the worst of circumstances to the best of experiences, these past 18 years have shaped me into who I am today. It’s impossible for me to put into words how grateful I am for my past, and how excited I am for the future. Where words fail, art speaks.

This painting was inspired by my curiosity and social media. For a while now I have been thinking about the process of making an acrylic pour. The project materials surprised me. I always imagined to make a pour painting, you just dump a bunch of acrylics on a canvas but now I know there is so much more that goes into it. This piece consists of silicon and latex based floetrol assisted by acrylics. The results of my painting are exciting and cosmic.