From the Easel

  I’ve been working on my Be a Lady series for a while now (Since 2020) and it’s honestly one of the hardest art series I’ve ever done. Not because of the materials or technique, but because I’m constantly questioning what I’m really trying to say and how I’m supposed to say it. This series isn’t just about me. It’s about the women I’ve encountered, listened to and learned from. Each one has shared a piece of her story, and I feel a real responsibility to carry that honestly in my work. But that’s easier said than done. When I start painting, I’ll walk up to the canvas confident—I think I know the colors, the mood, the direction. I start loose and free, then suddenly I tighten up. I stop feeling and start overthinking. I step back, say to myself, “Okay, I know now,” then step forward and lose it all over again. The more I add, the less it feels right. The energy shifts. The painting feels off not just technically, which it is hard to paint on 5 x 5 feet canvas (they are bigger t...