With the best of intentions, the institutions of our upbringing teach what we should believe and how we should behave. For some, these concepts feel binary, simplified, and uninclusive. They lead to detachment from our internal compass. We start to play a game with right or wrong.

In practice, life could never be simplified so easily. Good comes with bad. We feel and we make mistakes. And regardless of whether we accept it, we continue to coexist with our own humanity.

I use art to both explore my identity independent of these expectations and sometimes in response to them. I'm interested in the dichotomy of our feelings, beliefs, and many of the societal constructs I've grown up with. I use art to express what I cannot always articulate through words. I use art to express what I think is beautiful. Such expression takes form through subject matter, structure, brush stroke, color, execution, or medium. I use art to document and honor my journey.