My paintings that include nests focus on the emotions and challenges parents experience while dividing their capacities between career and family. The self portraits narrate my journey through divorce, parenting, dating, and rebuilding.  

This ridiculous self-portrait and nest painting is meant to replace all of the other self-portraits I’ve painted in the past 3 years that are no longer serving me. I’m happy. I mean really really happy. I’ve ridden through a lot of places and experiences and have gotten to the point now that I don’t really need to see where I’m heading because I trust my intuition- it’s like muscle memory, like riding a bike. I know how to feel my way through and how to trust those well-earned instincts. It’s a freedom unlike no other…freedom in vulnerability.

This self portrait is about what I’ve learned about myself and others as I’ve entered the dating and career world. Fear is a primal tool that can help you and keep you safe from harm, but it also must be wielded correctly as it can chase off opportunities for personal growth. The various elements in this painting represent female empowerment, domesticity, a mother’s protective instincts, transformation and potential, hidden wealth, and a desire for peace. My facial expression should imply that I welcome new opportunities and relationships, but am not to be trifled with.

This is part of the nest series and loosely based on a dream that my ex-mother-in-law had. It's about "getting caught with your pants down" or as I like to think if it, getting caught being unprepared, making a mistake, or just being awkwardly human, but choosing to gather up your responsibilities and move on with them!