Why do I paint portraits?

I paint portraits as I miss people.  Throughout my life, there have been long periods of isolation and distance from my biological and chosen families and relationships where I focused on survival instead of people.  I want to create a portrait that can be passed down from generation to generation to remind us of our families and loved ones we love or miss. 

I miss my family and for as long as I can remember I have always been attracted to anything that shines.  My mother told me as a child I had ‘magpie eyes” as they collect shiny objects in their nests to attract a mate. That would explain how I have acquired a varied assortment of tapes, textiles, embroideries, metallic foils, fabrics, appliques, wire, beading, rhinestones, and trims my entire life.  For me, I enjoy how the reflective quality changes in light throughout the day changing constantly creating many different colorways like our personalities.

In each painting, I start with a line-drawing and oil painting techniques, then combine various mixed media to construct a piece that conveys the emotion and character of each person making each piece as unique as the person it is of.