Female identity has always been the focal point of my work, encompassing ideas of empowerment, evolution and beauty. I am a Neosurrealist painter whose primary focus is the female narrative, exploring the relationship between women’s bodies and bodies of water. Often I envision my female figures as strong leaders of a matriarchal society, living in sync with nature. I play with juxtaposing ideas that these women are simultaneously futurist evolved beings and primordial animalistic aliens. I pull many visual traits from the Surrealists, but my images are never based on dreams or acid trips. They are a collection of pieces from our own world, churned up and spit back out in beautiful and unusual ways. Flora & fauna inspires many of the patterns and colors I use. I am especially enamored by the unique and vibrant shapes of sea creatures.

Mythology and storytelling is significant to me. I take inspiration from early Greek and Roman storytelling, especially from the pantheon of gods and monsters. I use these ancient stories to create my own canon and symbolism. I frequently reference famous paintings throughout history, including works such as Cabernels’ The Birth of Venus or Vermeer’s Girl with a Pearl Earring. So many depictions of women throughout history have been portrayed through the male gaze. While I love these beautiful, impactful works that male artists have created, it is important for me to represent these images through my own perspective. I am inspired by the surrealism of Salvador Dali, the graphic nature of Patrick Nagel, and the futurism of Hajime Soyarama.

My work processes the ideal beauty standards that have been ingrained into us by society. I place a lot of value on beauty, and in my paintings I explore what that means to me personally. The world I build is free from the constraints of today’s civilization and the women I paint are often primitive, otherworldly beings with hints of animalistic traits. I think it speaks to the longing I have to be reconnected with nature.

Ideas of strength and empowerment are very significant in my work. Throughout history, society has affected women’s perceptions of their body image, impacting their self esteem. When I was younger, I feared weightlifting, thinking it would make me “bulky and masculine.” It has taken me a long time to break free from those insecurities that have been indoctrinated into all women by society. In many of my works, I depict my belief that one’s body is a source of strength, regardless of how it may conform to the ideals of society.

  I started weightlifting in my late twenties. I was never athletic and it did not come naturally to me, but I attribute much of my personal growth (physically, mentally, emotionally) to this lifestyle change. Every image I paint is an expression of female empowerment and freedom. I want to convey the message that strength is beauty.