I'm so happy to announce that this painting was juried into the de Young Open 2023. It was a pinnacle in my artistic career and the painting sold on opening day!

Self portrait using oil sticks.

Sometimes when I am doing a self portrait I have it captured in a short time. But then I keep going in and looking harder, getting more severe with accuracy and how I see myself till it only portrays how highly critical I have been in my process.

At times like these I put it down and return to it later. Remembering what I had and lost in the first attempt I decided to sift through the strong parts of the portrait, editing it with a large oil stick. This allowed much more child like freedom and play and I am so delighted with the results.

There's so much to be learned from each painting. So grateful creating art has been such a constant teacher that I can apply to the other parts of my life.