I am a blooming artist, perched near the edge of a precipice, just waiting to spread my wings.  My menagerie of creations is as unique and diverse as the countless stars in the sky, whether devised by pencil, paint, clay, or computer.  My artwork heavily differs from my critique of art, as it tends to focus more so on the meaning and importance of art than in accordance with the popular standard.

 Painting is and has always been my favorite form of art media.  Whether it's watercolors or acrylics, each stroke helps bring my thoughts and my visions to life.  Watercolors are difficult and absolute when they touch paper.  I admire how well they are able to capture immense and vibrant details, no matter how minuscule they may be.  Their beauty and grace teach me patience and brightens my mood.  Acrylics are more natural to me and are forgiving when I am dissatisfied with the state of my work.  With each layer, I bring new meaning to the artwork and they inspire new ideas in me.  Oils are still strange to me, but very much uncharted land I cannot wait to explore further.

  We all view the world from our own perspective.  Our eyes see it for what is and even more so, for what it could be.  My artistic spirit craves that manifestation of freedom and I am persistent to bring that world to life.  If we could recall a time when things were simpler, could we really remember that it was the simple things that brought us happiness?  And would we feel that same sensation of joy?  

     If I was to choose my three favorite paintings, I would choose these.  The first is “Under the Weather,” my most recent self-portrait, and my favorite one so far.  It is one of the few self- portraits I have painted and have been most satisfied with the outcome.  “The Herbalist” is my favorite Still-Life painting, because it exhibits my love for fantasy and exploration with lighting.  I like how it means something very special to me in my mind, and does not target a specific audience.  The Herbalist can be aesthetically pleasing to anyone else without needing any prior knowledge of its meaning.  It is my favorite oil painting!  “Eden” is my favorite animal portrait and what I consider my best handiwork with detail.  It is an original painting, made with nearly six combined references and made with lots of love.

     I consider Under the Weather one of the only realistic portraits I have done that look “like me.”  I consider an achievement in painting faces with thorough shading and reflections in oil paints.  I whole-heartedly do not like doing self-portraits, but this one holds a special place in my heart.  It’s a piece that’s reminiscent of past pains and is a small look into my vulnerability as a person.

     The Herbalist ties everything I love about art in a single piece: highlights, details, natural colors, contrasting shadows, and fantasy aesthetics.  The earthy tones and subjects act almost as a window to an herbalist’s study.  If I could improve or edit any of my chosen works, I would work more on the Herbalist.  It could use so much more detail in terms of lighting and general textures in the different subjects such as the rose petals, the mortar, and candle.  While it looks currently "looks" finished, I think it could use more love. 

     Eden is my favorite animal painting because I cannot recall I time when I put my heart into a commissioned piece more than her.  Horses have been my favorite animals to paint and my most memorized subject since I first began to draw.

     If I was to create a fourth artwork to include with these paintings, I would create something that combines what makes each of them special.  I would include the drama and emotion I portray in my self-portrait.  I would even include a character from my past as an added measure.  I would include plenty of explicit detail as I did in Eden and would add a fantastical spin on it like the Herbalist.  

   I have high respect for the simple things in life and the beauty in nature.  Our everyday life is always immersed with many troubles and responsibilities.  We are so consumed with a heavy sense of urgency to be somewhere or get something done.  Because we are constantly occupied, we often fail to notice the simple things that are meaningfully beautiful.  It is the simple beauties in everyday life that can give one a feeling of peace and understanding that life is too short to not enjoy the time we have on this earth.  In painting, I strive to create work that accentuates the peacefulness and serenity of simple moments and gentle thoughts.  My artwork allows someone to discover their own personal connection while the art still remains true to its enduring finesse.

  We struggle to grasp at the time that streams by us, and it inevitably trickles right through our fingers like water.  My artwork offers a glimpse into the forgotten world, lost in the hustle of daily conflicts.  It bridges the chasm between fantastic vision and reality, appealing to one’s sense of beauty and bestows one with a solacing sensation of peace.  Maxfield Parrish, my rock and leading light, profoundly influenced my perspective on art with his jaw-dropping masterpieces.  With his iconic realism and awareness of emotional colors, I was warped to a world that would only exist in your own imagination.  As a child, I was completely enamored with how thoughtful his artwork was and the depth of feeling that his paintings portrayed. 

   Painting brings me joy and sometimes helps me think when I am consumed with my own thoughts or troubles.  It saved me from my loneliness and gave me a constructive outlet for my heart’s love and fears.  Although, that is not why I paint.  No, I strive to create art that invokes emotions in others.  Throughout the years that I have spent with a paintbrush in my hands, my skills have changed and my technique has evolved.  The privilege to create feeds my passion and motivation to learn and try harder.  I am so eager to pursue art education, learn as much as I can, and broaden my horizons in my quest to be an artist and teacher.

   Through my art, I demonstrate my freedom of creativity with an extended hand to the hearts of the troubled and offer hope to those who have resigned to loneliness.  It is meant to invoke the depth of feeling in their minds and touch their hearts.