My paintings begin long before the first brushstroke. They are born from conversations, literary passages, family dynamics, and the everyday moments that shape our lives. Through intimate portrayals of my family, I delve into the inner worlds of each figure while also engaging with the broader politics of representation. I often study our children and their creations, which serve as metaphors for adult behavior. Hands, which I believe hold deep expressive power, often replace faces in my work—speaking volumes without words while protecting the subjects of my work. Though rooted in personal experience, my figures remain intentionally ambiguous, inviting viewers to see themselves or others within them.

As both an educator and art historian, I live in constant dialogue with the art world. I study artworks, attend lectures, and listen to artists share their journeys. Often, I envision an image years before it materializes. Each piece begins with a detailed drawing of a family member, and as I create, I enter a space of remembrance and reflection.

My work is shaped by the influence of artists such as Jenny Saville, Jennifer Packer, Alice Neel, Firelei Báez, Egon Schiele, and Edvard Munch. Their presence echoes in my studio, reminding me that painting is not only an act of creation, but part of a larger, ongoing conversation—one that spans generations and speaks to the complexity of being seen.