I was born into the colorful and brilliant world of botanicals. I grew up watching my mother and grandmother paint flowers, and in that sunny atelier, I inherited their love of leaf and petal. When I create my plant portraits, I feel a connection with my family members through the generations. My ancestors’ wisdom in addition to my own life experience has led me to this body of work. My decision to return to botanicals after years of exploring other muses is about me leaning into who I am, where I’ve been, and where I want to go.

I collage with swatches of paper that are covered with loosely painted brush strokes. The washy paint in contrast with the sharp edges of my designs references my work as a digital illustrator working with vector shapes. Silhouettes also play an important role in my compositions. They allow me to repeat my subjects, emphasizing their importance. Plants appear at different stages of life in my work as a metaphor for personal growth and maturation, intergenerational influence and tradition. These blooms were nourished by the people in my history. They also help me reckon with the natural process of my own aging. 

It is my hope that viewers feel connected to and moved by my work because they share my adoration for the natural world that envelops, supports, and nourishes us all. The synthesis of human and plant life is beautiful and peaceful, and I want to galvanize people to protect this relationship. By painting plant portraits I strive to call attention to the integral role nature plays in our lives, amplifying the chorus of voices calling for its protection.