With portraits, I lead with emphasizing the very distinct charm of a face that looks as though it has known suffering. I see beauty in these faces precisely because of their melancholy. Given how much of life is tragic at the core, many of our days are filled with longing for connection and the hope of being understood. Even the most joyful & content person knows when it’s unnecessary to put up a façade of manufactured cheerfulness. To truly appreciate anything in life, I must consider a time one day when I will lose it, lest I take it for granted. Creating art that expresses the vulnerability of acknowledging this pain of existence reminds my spirit to make the most out of every single moment in life.