Laguna College of Art + Design

I look for transient moments where light takes shape, creates lines, or illuminates color as it reflects off a surface. When I paint people under these conditions, I find that abstract qualities of visual perception are a compelling vehicle for empathy. Through what I consider the act of seeing—a process of observation, reflection, and then empathy—I am able to look closer into both my subjects and myself. As I paint, I discover how the mundane moments I have captured reflect broader themes and poetic revelations in my personal life. Beyond this, I ask to what degree empathy is an integral part of the aesthetic experience. I consider my paintings to be like mirrors that reflect emotional states found within me, my subjects, and my viewers. Through the poetic depictions of people in ephemeral environments, my paintings channel an intimate view into moments of psychological solitude—a quiet stillness intended to invite empathy, introspection, and self-reflection.