The moments I chose to capture are illustrated by personal relationships, self-identity, and the emotions I experienced during certain phases of my life. As a child, my mom would insist on playing the song Redbone Hound by Idgy Vaughn, an Austin-based country singer. As I've gotten older, it's become more relevant. The song tells a story of a broken-hearted woman who gets a dog to fill a void with unconditional love after losing herself in a painful relationship. I resonate with this narrative on a personal level and it has slowly crept its way into my art. The codependent relationship between women and dogs is deeply layered and built on the foundations of loyalty and devotion. Canines have held deep-rooted significance in folklore and mythology such as the She-Wolf in Roman history and the intricate spirits of Irish wolfhounds. In this foundational concept, I explore the connection between wildness, nature, domesticity, and instinct–themes that run parallel in the female experience. Textiles such as lace and embroidery are tools I use to represent sisterhood in all its forms, weaving throughout my practice, reflecting strength and tenderness. Through feminine-coded iconography, and rich color palettes, I explore the interplay between intimacy and femininity and the ways these relationships shape our understanding of companionship.Hesitant Spirit is a painting I produced of a naturalistic wolf roaming a desolate field. I created the illusion of harsh lighting to enhance tension and vulnerability. The wolf crouches low, fearful yet focused, as it nears its prey. This wild animal reflects the defensive state I navigate daily as a woman. Its companion piece, Elegance that Lingers, discusses beauty standards placed on women by society. The layers of gesso and sand on the canvas create a coarse texture, representing skin imperfections. The satin-lace lingerie piece in the center is painted with a smooth finish in contrast to the background. Through texture and the illusion of textiles, I evoke the sense of touch, something that is quite intimate.
My practice specializes in painting and printmaking with a focus on portraiture. These practices are structural yet free-flowing, which is perfect for my type of work. My process usually begins with visualizing a subject or setting, without a clear narrative at first. I create a digital collage using references I’ve taken myself and found on the internet. From there, I can morph the concept into something more; then, I decide if it needs to be painted with an actual brush or printed.