I am inclined to depict the face because it is so expressive and can portray various personality traits and emotions of the owner. To make my show personal to me, I chose to paint various people in my life. I chose my subjects because they are all different, whether it be in age, personality, or race. I wished to portray people belonging to different demographics to both challenge myself and display my skill. I believe art is the collaboration of reality and the imagination, so this is how I chose to paint. I strive to depict the realistic features of my subjects, while using exaggeration and vivid color to incorporate my imagination. Thus, my work is not based solely in realism or in abstraction, but in a style something in between that is unique to me. My characters live in a world that is not entirely real and not entirely fantastic. They balance on the fine line in between two existences. They are whimsical, yet possess deep connotations regarding the true natures of my subjects.
