Collection: 2026 Senior Capstone Exhibition

Before starting a new piece, I spend most of my time researching. Despite the fact that my work is built on creating imaginary scenes, my inspiration is derived almost exclusively from real life. Politics, science, history… these things shape me and in turn what I create. In my process, I find it important to reference objective reality in order to alter it into unnatural settings, bright colors that aren't often found in natural environments, and symbolic elements surrounding my subjects.

I had originally intended for this series to be an exploration of uncommon endangered species. Yet, as I continued working, it has instead evolved into something of a self study. Each animal represents a vulnerability that I resonate with deeply; a perseverance so strong it defies all odds against it. They represent a desperate need for survival. The explorative aspects of this series reflect in my process. I often view all of my work as a self portrait, despite most of my pieces being depictions of various animal and plant species. They are reflections of my thoughts, my interests, my heritage. They are the embodiment of all the things that I love and all things that are me.