About this work

In 2024, I was diagnosed with Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia (HSP), a neurological disorder that requires me to use a wheelchair and adapt my creative process. In 2025, I was awarded a National Endowment for the Arts Grant in Painting. My earlier paintings were often eight to ten feet wide, but since my diagnosis, I have transitioned to working on a smaller scale and simplified my technique. Now, I digitally alter images, combine elements from previous work, and apply paint to canvas.

The ‘Eye of God’ series explores the oculus, a circular architectural element present in domes and walls. In my work, the oculus is a direct reference to a profound symbol of divine presence. This circular aperture physically embodies the source of light and spiritual energy that defines the painting process. In "Santa Maria Maggiore 2", which references the geometry of a basilica ceiling, the oculus operates as a "central illuminated void" through which divine light enters the composition.