My work reflects the rawness of my self-discovery journey, and as I mourn past versions of myself my art constantly grows alongside me. I find that the use of human figures depicted in nature-like spaces best connects aspects of familiarity for those who perceive my work. I enjoy tending to it in a thoughtful manner, as it reciprocates joyousness back to me and hopefully, in some ways, to the viewer. The significance of a delicate material such as soft pastel lies in the meaning of handling oneself with care when working through interpersonal conflicts. This journey is never easy, and neither is the artistic process of depicting surrealism in a conceptual manner, but the way in which both are compassionately worked through is quite a cathartic experience. My intention is to provide the insight of finding warmth in parts of the journey where one would otherwise feel embarrassment, shame, discomfort, or disgust within themselves. The road to self-betterment is full of harsh impediments and there is no better moment to ground oneself in the midst of an unstable path. This kind of expression requires immense vulnerability in the sense that I am transparently presenting my own growing pains stemming from self-acceptance in attempts to bridge a sense of empowerment within the viewing experience. In turn, I ask the viewer to also be vulnerable when perceiving my work in order to maintain the full effect of a necessary human experience. In the event this is difficult to process, I would hope through the use of warm colors, soft edges, ethereal dreamscapes, and balanced light lies a sense of peace. In any case, one of many truths is if the subjects depicted in my work exist within a space surrounded by bittersweet beauty while undergoing interpersonal challenges, anyone is capable of existing in the same way.