24x36 Mixed Media on Canvas
Materials: Oil paint, found lichen, vines, beetles, bumble bees, wasps, moths, a gifted papilio paris butterfly, dried flowers, feathers, and preserved moss

Completed during my teaching artist residency with Art 180 in the summer of 2023 with students from Richmond Public Schools

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"Back to Nature" is a self-portrait that encapsulates the profound journey I've undertaken to reconnect with my true self, my inner nature. This expedition has been nothing short of a roller coaster, replete with highs and lows, obstacles, and triumphant moments—a journey hard-fought and well-earned.

My artist residency with Art 180 marked the culmination of my struggles, signifying both the end of one chapter and the dawn of a new beginning—a testament to the arduous work I've dedicated myself to achieving. My long-standing aspiration has been to assume a leadership role, to share the knowledge and wisdom I've painstakingly cultivated over the years. Moreover, it allowed me to achieve a significant milestone: completing my very first paid artist residency. This newfound opportunity granted me the serenity to exclusively focus on my craft without the burden of financial concerns.

In crafting my piece, I aimed to convey the dichotomy of my journey—a narrative that commences with vibrant colors and progressively yields to the embrace of organic materials, akin to nature slowly reclaiming its territory. This transformation visually embodies the struggle and beauty interwoven throughout my personal odyssey.