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, one must clear one’s own path.

In this piece, I stand firm amidst a lush, chaotic landscape, looking directly at the viewer with unwavering determination. The work balances opposing forces simultaneously: strength and tenderness, protection and growth, exhaustion and 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. Warrior Artist finally announced itself as complete in my first studio in New Hope. Having painted her through several years of profound change, she remains a lasting reminder never to lose hope.

Oil on canvas
36 × 24 inches
$2200

On view at New Hope Arts until June 7, 2026
Contact the gallery for acquisition details: newhopeartsorg@gmail.com