Artist Statement

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I am creating a series of paintings that depict my own speculative mythology, “Aye Mi,” which explores issues related to the natural world through the lens of mythology and natural science. I have experimented with these ideas in a series of paintings using color, negative space, and mark-making to create the illusion of depth and movement, thereby connecting with the viewer. I have mainly used acrylic paint and oil paint as both media allow me to experiment with the texture of the marks and the physical directionality of the space I am building. 

My paintings depict abstract environments and their inhabitants; however, I have recently begun experimenting with self-portraiture juxtaposed against these abstract spaces to connect myself within my world and develop its visual and conceptual narrative. I have recently experimented with combining abstraction and portraiture in a series of black-and-white acrylic paintings, exploring scale and engaging viewers visually. These include three large-scale, door-like paintings that represent the main world of my series, and two medium-sized scenic paintings relating to its lore. I have also constructed two interactive, painted “booktychs” (book-like diptychs) made with oil, as well as a triptych study made with charcoal, to engage with the viewer physically on a smaller scale. 

I am eager to explore new ways of immersing viewers in my world. My goal is to continue experimenting with self-portraiture and abstraction through color and mark-making in traditional painting, while expanding “Aye Mi” visually and conceptually. Moving forward, I intend to develop these explorations into three-dimensional media and animation, allowing my imagined spaces and figures to take on new forms and dimensions.