TRANSCEND (2018)
ARTIST STATEMENT
“The more we are willing to become authentic rather than conventional, and the more unique, unconventional, or creative a being we are… the more we need to eschew conditioning for aliveness.” ~Brené Brown
Transgender is not just about one experience, not linear and not simple. Each transgender person is unique with incredibly diverse experiences yet we are united in a common struggle. Portraits in this series are of individuals living their lives out in the open with courage, authenticity and commitment to integrity over safety.
Deliberately omitting natural skin tones, vibrant rainbow colors are used to take pride in our intersectional identities uniting us in celebration. All clothing is depicted in gray-scale, which helps (especially in the cases of many fashion trailblazers) to not distract from the individual represented while carefully respecting their style. The vast blue sky is in direct response to the oppression and erasure from public space experienced by transgender people and is an homage to reclaiming space for this community.
This work wouldn’t be possible without social media, which has allowed the artist to find and paint people, regardless of geography, who are telling their stories and living their lives openly as trans /nonbinary. The title of each piece includes the individual’s first name, location, and @ Instagram handle which the artist encourages people to follow in order to learn more about each person depicted.
This portrait series aims to help unravel oppression and generate respect for the transgender community through a belief that respect comes from understanding. Sharing trans stories is our path to understanding ourselves and each other. Many trans people face dehumanizing and oppressive messages daily.
Black transwomen and transfemmes are at the highest risk of violence, discrimination and houselessness so it’s essential their voices be amplified and given the respect they deserve. Transgender youth should be able to see space for themselves in the fine art world.
Plenty of research has demonstrated the power of seeing faces and bodies, like our own, as beautiful and revered. Elevating authentic stories helps to empower communities.
THE LOVE SERIES (2016)
ARTIST'S STATEMENT
IN DAILY LIFE WE LIVE WITH ONE VIEW, THE ONE IN FRONT OF US. WE CAN’T SEE THE WHOLE, BUT IT DOESN’T MEAN THAT THIS LARGER PICTURE DOESN’T EXIST.
EACH PAINTING OF THESE SHOWS IS CREATED INDIVIDUALLY, HOWEVER, IF YOU TO PUT THE PAINTINGS TOGETHER THEY BECOME A SINGLE LARGER IMAGE. THEY'RE PURPOSELY TOO LARGE TO SHOW THEM IN ONE LOCATION.
YOU CAN ONLY SEE THE ONES IN FRONT OF YOU, BUT THE LARGER PICTURE IS THERE.
OUR SEPARATENESS IS ONLY IN OUR PERCEPTION. TAKING A PAINTING OR PRINT HOME MEANS YOU'RE CONNECTED TO THE OTHER IMAGES AND THIS LARGER MESSAGE- WE ARE ALL INTERCONNECTED, EVEN WHEN WE LOSE SIGHT OF OUR CONNECTION.
EARLIER IN CREATING FINE ART, I MADE A LOT OF IT ABOUT POLITICAL ISSUES. ONE SHOW WAS FOCUSED ON HATE CRIMES, IN WHICH I DREW PORTRAITS OF MURDERED INDIVIDUALS WITH THE WORDS OF THEIR STORIES OVERLAID. IT WAS EXCRUCIATING TO CREATE THOSE ARTWORKS, IT COST ME SOMETHING TO FOCUS ON THAT, AND I GRIEVED CONSTANTLY AS I MADE EACH PIECE.
AFTER MY 2015 CANCER DIAGNOSIS, "LOVE IS ALL THAT MATTERS" BECAME A SORT OF MANTRA FOR ME. I COULDN'T CREATE FROM A PLACE OF ANGER OR PAIN ANYMORE. I DECIDED I WANTED EVERYTHING I PUT OUT INTO THE WORLD TO BE ABOUT LOVE.
THINKING THAT CANCER COULD TAKE MY LIFE, MY VIEW WAS SUDDENLY FILLED BY THESE BIG QUESTIONS: WHERE HAVE I SHOWN LOVE? WHERE HAVE I EXPRESSED LOVE AND MADE THAT AVAILABLE TO OTHERS? ALL THE OTHER MINUTIAE STOPPED MATTERING TO ME. JUST LOVE.
I WANTED TO CREATE SOMETHING THAT WOULD ENCOURAGE PEOPLE TO FOCUS ON LOVE AND WHAT IT MEANS TO THEM. I HAVE A GIFT AS AN ARTIST. I WANT TO LEAVE A GIFT OF LOVE FOR THE WORLD.
EVERYTHING I'VE CREATED SINCE IS GROUNDED IN LOVE. AFTER PAINTING THESE FOR OVER A YEAR, I KNOW HOW DIFFERENT IT IS TO PAINT EACH WORK WITH THIS INTENTION. AS I CREATED THESE WORKS, I MEDITATED ON THE WORD LOVE. I KNEW I COULDN’T FOCUS ON THE NEGATIVE, IT HAD TO BE THE POSITIVE, IF ONLY FOR MY PHYSICAL HEALTH. THE ACTUAL CREATION OF THE ARTWORK IS IMPACTED BY THIS MEDITATION, THIS FOCUS.
I HOPE YOU FEEL IT.
MOVEMENT (2014)
