I paint men, soulful and psychological portraits based on the personalities and personas of the people I know. They are realistic depictions of men but often in a surreal setting. Having relationships with a variety of men as diverse as a father, doctors, boyfriends, lovers, friends and frenemies, my work reproduces familiar visual signs, arranging them into new conceptually layered pieces. Often these themes of various psychological states are combined into paintings that feature objects, birds, highlighted body parts and nondescript backgrounds.

 

Losing track of time and awareness of the world when I paint portraits of thoughtful, intelligent and complex men, I reveal them striving for achievement throughout their lifetime whether it be emotional or career fulfillment, wealth, love or security. The paintings of men are linked by recurring formal concerns (realism, bright or harmonious colours) and subject matter. Each project often consists of a man, in a range of different emotions, grouped around specific themes and meanings in a surreal setting.

 

Taking a critical view of psychological issues such as anxiety I describe the inability to be resilient or the power to be so in the male characters I paint. Some elements that I use in my work are the American dream, illustrations from 19th century fairy tale books, nursery rhymes, and lullabies that are part of our childhood and adult culture. By using those elements, I contrast or reveal my sense of self, or that of others, in the imaginary male characters in my paintings.