My Statement
My art is a reflection of my mind navigating my identity of feminine energy within. Painting at first, became a therapeutic activity. Diagnosed with PTSD and major depression, I was finding healthy alternatives to cope with trauma. Painting was the only activity that seemed to “stick.” My unique childhood and upbringing in Hawaii and moving to the mainland gave me both memories and challenges that both heavily influenced the art I create today. Artists such as Van Gogh and Edvard Munch inspired me to lean towards the expressive art styles. Growing up in Hawaii for 17 years, I took a strong interest in history, culture, religion and mythology. Hawaiian mythology and other mythological history revolving around feminine idols and goddesses became a huge inspiration for my own version of feminine idols and spirits in my paintings, often expressing my own feminine identity. Meanwhile my other work involves abstract concepts and paintings, and is often created to provide a therapeutic purpose for myself during the progress of recovery from SA trauma. The message I hope to convey to my audience, especially those female presenting, is that regardless of the situation we face, we overcome our troubled past and once again discover our strong feminine selves.
