About / Profile
Philosophy
Art invites reflection on our place in the world, revealing meaning often hidden in plain sight. Painting from life means staying present with the subject, intensifying the connection over time. Through this process, truths—visual, emotional, historical, and sensory—may emerge, creating an opening for viewers to interpret the work personally.
Current
The Northern California coastline has been an endless source of inspiration since 2013. I approach its landscapes with the same method I use in portraiture—the cornerstone of my practice. In search of a resonant subject, I capture shifting states over multiple sessions and in varying conditions, striving to reveal the subject fully, with a new and distinct presence.
Building and Sustaining a Practice
Art has been a lifelong commitment. While earning a BFA from the Academy of Art University in San Francisco, I interned at Walt Disney Feature Animation Studios at the suggestion of the program’s director. I later applied to the background department to expand my skills in creating painted worlds, while continuing to dedicate time to portraiture outside of work hours.
The experience and stability gained at Disney allowed for a transition abroad where I established my practice, from 2002-2004.
Giving Back
From 2004 to 2011, I taught and developed courses as Senior Lecturer and Program Advisor at DigiPen Institute of Technology. A sabbatical allowed me to focus on a portrait-painting project with ten colleagues who generously collaborated, posing as subjects.
After relocating to San Francisco in 2011, I trained at the Legion of Honor, studying and writing on the museum’s collections.
In addition, I freelanced as a background artist for the short film Imitation of Life (Venice Biennale, 2013) and The Little Prince (Cannes, 2015), and led workshops on color theory for animation professionals.
This journey in art has been guided by a commitment to constantly evolve as an artist.
