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The focus of my work is to highlight the hardships that are forced upon the female body without question or recognition. There are more women than we care to admit who are going through struggles within. The female body is often ignored or overlooked in our current society, while women are struggling with visible or invisible pains that take a toll on their bodies and minds. My goal is to support the individual through their experiences as a whole, develop a newfound sense of self, and discover what is needed for their own personal healing process. This is being done through both drawings and design with a focus on the individual's access to healthcare that supports the whole person. I have been affected by cancer in my family more times than anyone should have to, and it has left a mark on my artistic motivations. Watching my mom's struggle to be proud of her own body after it betrayed her in such a drastic way was heartbreaking. Being able to create artwork that allows the person to feel safe and loved in their own skin again is not only a privilege but a necessity for me. Yes, our history is always a part of who we are and what we become, but it does not have to define us. At least not in a way that we are not able to choose for ourselves. The impact of hardships can feel like defeat, but recognizing the beauty in our flaws can allow for growth and recovery. Changing who we are does not have to be a negative experience, but our ability to embrace past experiences and visualize depictions of our reality, including our so-called flaws, can allow our sense of self to flourish. Although this is a deep and very emotional concept, I feel that the healing can be done not only through the model and myself but also by grasping its viewers through a personal and hopefully emotional connection. Not only does drawing the torsos of women bring up memories of my mother's surgeries, but it also reminds me of the minimal exploration of the female body and its lack of funding or research because of possible complications. Taking the time to study the scars and curves of each individual and bring them to life in a drawing is what helps me heal and hopefully lends a hand in the healing process for everyone as well. I have spent the last ten years of my life supporting women through breast cancer rehabilitation, and I have worked to expand that passion through art. I speak a lot about the impact cancer and other illnesses have had on my life, and how the body plays a role in who I am today. That experience has given me a unique perspective on how we treat the whole human and what it means to be female. Currently, I am exploring new ways to support women in their journey of reclaiming their bodies, and thus far, I have done so in book publishing, drawings, graphic design work, and advocacy documentation. It is important to remember that the acceptance of who we are may not happen overnight, but no one should be left to experience the world alone without the opportunity to see their true self through the eyes of others.
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