Warrior-Artist

Warrior Artist, 36 × 24 inch oil on canvas

Warrior Artist is an intimate, large-scale self-portrait born from the realization that to move forward, I must clear my own path.

In this piece, I stand firm amidst a lush, chaotic landscape, with unwavering determination.

The machete in my right hand is held low, not raised in aggression, but resting as a tool of patient, deliberate preparation. Beneath my raised left arm, a massive peony bursts into full bloom, representing the vibrant world I dream of and actively work to create.

What began as an intuitive tropical landscape evolved over four years into a deeply therapeutic exercise. I worked without reference photos, returning to the canvas whenever it felt right to map my internal emotional landscape. Over time, a figure emerged, and as I rendered the face, I realized I was looking in a mirror. Having painted her through several years of profound change, she remains a lasting reminder of my destiny.

See her in person 6 N Union St, Lambertville, NJ by appointment christina@lolanewhope.com