I paint because I don't know how to express myself any other way. I am a self-taught artist whose life has revolved around painting since childhood; I explore media such as oil, graphite, encaustic, collage, sculpture, and found objects. I work in hyperrealism and abstract expressionism, fusing meticulous detail with the freedom of impasto art, incorporating stones and fabrics into my realistic works to give them meaning. My creations convey a powerful strength and resilience, seeking empathy and visibility against the abuse or mistreatment of children, women, animals, and nature, inviting the viewer to discover themselves and heal through art.