Grief can be extremely complicated depending on your past experiences, relationships and how your loved one passed away. Through my paintings and sculptures, I analyze how styles, subject matter, poses, space, and shapes can allow viewers to understand the nature of human mourning. I draw on both the sentimental and painful aspects of my childhood to create art that speaks to my present-day perspective on my father, his addiction, and the tragic way he passed. I use saturated, somber colors similar to the Chiaroscuro technique which is inspired by Caravaggio. I reflect my personal experiences by layering oil paint onto a carefully constructed canvas using the Grisaille technique and a palette knife. The palette knife adds a coarse texture to the composition in response to the complicated memories I have with loss and addiction.

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I deliberately leave areas of the blood-red underpainting exposed and unfinished, allowing the viewer to witness my process and the layers of emotion that form each painting. These areas portray how deep sorrow and trauma often feels unresolved and unfathomable. The underpainting serves as the foundation for my exploration of memory and loss, where I peel away layers of my past and place them directly onto the canvas. Red is the most prominent color through each of my pieces as it symbolizes the persistent emotion of anger I experienced growing up with an alcoholic father.