Statement

My work focuses on painting the human figure in black and white to emphasize emotion, form, and psychological presence without the distraction of color. By working in monochrome, I draw attention to light, shadow, texture, and expression, allowing subtle gestures and emotions to become more visible.

I approach portraiture as an emotional interpretation rather than a perfect representation. Each painting explores themes of vulnerability, memory, identity, and human connection. The grayscale palette creates a timeless quality, inspired by archival photography and classic film, while also encouraging viewers to focus on shared human experience.

Through layered textures and tonal contrast, I aim to capture the quiet complexity of people and the emotions that exist beneath the surface.

I am a graduate of Virginia Commonwealth University with a concentration in painting and printmaking. Since 2018, I have been an employee at the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.