Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

I create contemporary representational oil paintings that incorporate bold color choices and non traditional layering methods. To set the tone for a piece, I begin with a bright underpainting. As I begin to paint with thick brushstrokes I allow the underpainting to peek through intentional ways; such as the pupil of an eye or the grout between tiles. My process is heavily rooted in learning and becoming as I navigate emotional currents of the piece.

Where do you find inspiration?

I’m inspired by the energy of my subject: both good and bad. Whether painting a landscape, a person or an animal I visually capture its aura through color. I am particularly drawn to complementary colors, such as red and green. These hues naturally clash and when blended they create a muddy brown. To me, red can suggest malice or passion, while green evokes greed or jealousy. Their interaction becomes a metaphor for conflicting human emotions. My work is a magnifying glass for people to process.

What would you do with $25,000?

$25,000 would allow me to invest in the proper materials for a studio. I am a scrappy individual. I make my own canvases, pallets, frames and panels and I thrift lights and easels so I can prioritize purchasing high-quality paint. For three years, I painted in the living room of my college apartment, stretching every dollar to keep creating. This money will allow me financial freedom to buy proper tools for me to continue to be an artist whose work is created for the people.