a retrospective

sister

​People often ask me the meaning of my paintings. I usually turn the question around on them, asking what they think it means. Internally I will continue to debate why I do this. However, now that I'm trying to share my art more, I have decided to be a little more transparent. So here we go.​

sister was created 9 years ago during a very difficult time in my life. Heartache had driven me to dig deep into my past with questions of how and why as I battled with feelings of weakness. The impulse to paint took over. I started to scan through my photo references and this pose spoke to me. It got me thinking about my childhood. It was time to reflect on the formative years that had shaped the man I had become.

​I realized that much of my life ​had been spent trying to please and gain the acceptance of others. The result was a lack of confidence and poor judgement. I began to see the fractures in some of my most personal relationships. I needed space. I needed to redesign my life and learn to set boundaries. It was time for some major changes. I packed my car with the things that mattered most and impulsively moved to San Diego. I arrived in California before 'sister' had even dried.

​Her body is in the shape of a cross symbolizing the end of an era while hinting at a rebirth. The vibrant pink is a symbol of strength, passion, and love. Blue symbolizes divinity. Green represents a renewal. I imagine that she is daydreaming in a field of dandelions. The moment she closes her eyes she is transported to a place where she is free from expectations. There she can see more clearly what the past is trying to teach her. The lessons of childhood become seeds set free to find their new resting place where they will grow into a bright future. She accepts herself and can move forward.

​​Thank you for reading.
Comments are encouraged.
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​Prints of 'sister' are available in the shop.