Artist Statement 

I grew up in the cultural epicenter that is known as the Bronx or as locals like to call it the "The Boogie Down Bronx". I was born during the boom of hip-hopand art culture, which impacted my creative development greatly. There was a lot of life, color and flavor in the bustling borough of my hometown. My childhood has always been something I hold very close to my heart and I was fortunate enough to have a family that allowed me to march to the beat of my own drum. My series of paintings, The Diversity of Children, are reminiscent of a time of freedom and limitless creativity for me. I hope that these are artworks where children can see themselves portrayed, and adult viewers are inspired to return to their own childhood memories. 
 
With over a decade of professional experience, I mentored children from different ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. In this time, I continually found myself learning and drawing inspiration from the kids I worked with.There are dimensions of feelings, imagination, and a boundlessness, that children possess.I was pulled into the sense of wonder, personality and expression that each individual child portrayed. I strongly believe that kids should be allowed to be kids. Children should be valued for who they are now, rather than to embody forced expectations. In my art, I celebrate the uniqueness and diversity that each child has, and pull inspiration from how each child can become understood through their own individualistic expressions.
 
I am interested in creating art that is bright colorful, saturated and bold. My intention is to capture personality, uniqueness, and individuality by using a wide spectrum of colors in oil paint. I enjoy using the combination of realistic figures and abstracted backgrounds. I was intentional with painting the children's faces with soft, curved edges and transitions to express their innocence. The backgrounds to my compositions are abstract designs that reflect each child’s unique personality. Observing children of different ages, gender and race, along with understanding their needs and behaviors, has allowed me to deeply explore childhood. 
 
I hope my work is a reflection of today's mixed spectrum of children and their inner world. Although children change and grow at a rapid rate, I attempt to capture those fleeting moments. I am inspired to bring attention to the diversity of children and the complexity behind childhood development. I want to empower children and give them a platform to show their true colors.