2020

I aim to prioritize people while providing a momentary view into their character and personality, making the viewer wonder what their life stories might be. In this particular painting, the subject is John Paolo. We were dating throughout 2020; this was a challenging year for many, including him.

The painting portrays him standing next to a bond fire, his eyes fixated on the fire in a reflective gaze as he stands next to friends he is meeting after a long bleak year of lockdown. He is holding a red solo cup, wearing his grandfather's hat and a rugged jacket with memories of his high school. Like Alice Neel's work, this painting portrays the wretch in the hero and the hero in the wretch.