Painting says what I can’t out loud—where emotion flows easier through color than conversation, and I finally feel understood.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
I love creating expressive portraits with a slightly raw, stylized edge. I’m drawn to faces—especially eyes—because they hold so much unspoken emotion. My work leans into bold lines, soft color blends, and a bit of grit, like something between street art and storytelling. I like when a piece feels alive, like it’s looking back at you.
Where do you find inspiration?Mostly in people and real life—little moments, moods, expressions. My daughter inspires me a lot, along with music and the way certain colors feel together. I also pull from emotion—things I don’t always say out loud. Sometimes inspiration shows up as a feeling first, and I just follow it until it becomes something visual.
What would you do with $25,000?I’d invest in my art so I can grow it into something bigger—better materials, a dedicated workspace, and launching more collections and digital products. I’d also create more consistently without financial pressure, which would honestly change everything. A portion would go toward my family, because they’re the reason I push so hard in the first place.
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