Heavy Are The Stones Yet
The River Runs Through Them
The Deep End
PanPastel and graphite on paper, 38”x48”, 2024
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Life is full of choices. Some are small, seemingly insignificant, while others can be monumental, shifting the course of our lives. Occasionally in these larger choices, we are faced with two distinct routes: we can either remain where we are, fall back into old patterns, and continue in what is familiar; or, we can step into a new phase of life, empower ourselves to face the unknown, and courageously step into the deep end.
When is an instance that you took the plunge into a new, uncharted phase of life?
Without Sanctuary
PanPastel and graphite on paper, 34.5" x 31.25", 2023
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This work will be on view at the San Francisco Art Fair in April 2024
American society has toxic masculinity woven through its veins. This, inevitably, often leads to many boys (and therefore men) being starved of sensitivity and safety within themselves. They are often not taught nor shown strong examples of men being present, vulnerable, or tending to their own self-care and emotional needs. Rather, there is an ingrained need to “be the protector”, assess “nearby dangers”, or as the Boy Scouts of America say - “Be Prepared”. This sadly leads to an inability for many men be truly present within themselves, trust and accept others, or indulge in healthy ways to treat and pamper oneself. I know if I never let myself access those things, I would always be on edge, too…
How can we embrace our boys and our men and help bring them back to themselves, let go, and sink into a comforting, nurturing space to reconnect and heal? Can we demonstrate how to let our guard down?
Can we help them find sanctuary one relationship, household, or community at a time?
Let Them Fall
PanPastel and graphite on paper, 23"x30", 2023
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This work will be on view at the San Francisco Art Fair in April 2024,
and was on view at the LA Art Show in February 2024.
At the end of the day, we’ve all carried something outside of ourselves home with us. Whether from work, social situations, or even pressures from right inside of the house. Occasionally, this mental clutter can become so prevalent that it seeps deep into our subconscious, blurring the lines between our inner and outer worlds. Suddenly, even our most intimate of spaces can be littered with external challenges, worries, or responsibilities. In these moments, sometimes the best thing to do is to witness the thoughts as they rise, let them fall, and trust that you’ll clean them up eventually, when you have the energy to do so.
What can you let fall today?
No Longer Mine
PanPastel and graphite on paper, 23"x38", 2023
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This work will be on view at the San Francisco Art Fair in April 2024,
and was on view at the LA Art Show in February 2024.
There are chapters in our life when we hustle - really hustle - and are actually fortunate enough to see our hard efforts pay off. At the end of a long marathon, when we reach a milestone or achieve a lifelong goal, there is a unique transition period from “this work is mine to carry” to “I’m free to wash myself clean of this”. It's a celebratory, nurturing, and liberating moment that doesn’t last for long; for when we work hard and succeed, the fruits of our labor separate from us, birthing something brand new into the world. And it’s beautiful.
Can you recall that moment when you switched from "working towards" to "the accomplishment of" one of your goals?
Retrospect
Graphite and PanPastel on paper, 28”x28”", 2023
This work received the Award of Excellence in the Pastel 100 2023 (2nd place overall), was featured on the cover of the Pastel Journal 25th Anniversary issue, and was on view at the Art on Paper Fair in New York 2023.
Looking back on one's life, there are many moments that may catch your attention. From fondly reflecting on a past version of oneself, to longingly reminiscing on something that may have gone a different way... Memories are but pieces held together, some factual, others an overlap of what is and what was. These traces continue to echo within us all, and while memories help to shape the people that we are today, it's incredibly important not to lose oneself to the past.
How do your memories stay with you in your body?
The Rewrite
Graphite and PanPastel on paper, 26.5 x 30.5", 2023
This work won Best Drawing in the Almenara Art Prize 2023, was exhibited at Art Market SF in 2023, was published in PoetsArtists 123, and is included in the Polaris Collection of the Lunar Codex on the Moon.
We all hold certain narratives about ourselves - where we came from, what we’ve been through, who we are in the world, etc. These narratives can be adopted from stories others have told us, or from our own inner monologue. Sometimes they become outdated, aren’t doing us any favors, or honestly weren’t that true to begin with. When this happens it becomes easy to get stuck in patterns or beliefs that no longer reflect who we truly are today, nor the trajectory we wish to be on. Realizing that we have the ability to rewrite these inner narratives, change how we view ourselves and present more authentically to the world is an incredibly healing, freeing, and empowering act. Taking charge and living authentically is one of the most beautiful gifts one can give themselves, and our society as a whole.
What does your narrative say about you today, and is there any part you’ll be rewriting?
The Reprise
Graphite and PanPastel on paper, 40” x 35", 2024
This work was commissioned as a follow-up piece to my original artwork, “The Rewrite”
If you are interested in a commissioned work of your own, please reach out to discuss! Email me here.