Tell a little bit about how you first got into creating art.
Arts and crafts class and the irresistible allure of a fresh box of crayons were childhood highlights for me. But it wasn’t until 2022 that I began creating art seriously. It all started with a community-based beginner’s oil painting class. The instructor introduced me to the concept of painting what you see, not what you know, and I was instantly hooked. That class became the catalyst for joining a local gallery with monthly theme-based shows—an environment that constantly challenged me to push boundaries, explore new techniques, and grow as an artist.
What artists or movements have had an impact on you?
As an untrained artist, I’m admittedly only beginning to scratch the surface of the vast world of art history. However, John Singer Sargent is one artist whose work resonates deeply with me. His remarkable skill and style have become an ambitious lifelong pursuit for me, and I dream of one day channeling even a fraction of his mastery in my own creations.
As for my own creations, I aim to let the artwork evolve into the best version of itself
What is your source of inspiration?
I firmly believe that creativity is a fundamental part of what drives us as human beings— the act of bringing something new into existence. Whether it’s planting a garden, restoring a vintage muscle car, starting a family, curating thrifted treasures, cooking family meals, or painting, drawing, singing, acting, etc., that universal source of creativity is what fuels my imagination.
My “Painted Molecules—A Surreal Expedition” series is another passion project born from personal challenges. In 2022, I faced an unimaginable ordeal after developing Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a nerve pain disease often dubbed “the suicide disease” due to its extreme intensity and difficulty to manage.
The first step of my creative process is a lot of ruminating over what I want to create and the best way to create it
Amid treatments, I began painting the chemical molecule of ketamine—the prescribed treatment credited with bringing my left leg into remission. Forced by my condition to explore new, fast-drying mediums like watercolor, inks, and acrylics, I embarked on a journey to capture loose, expressive backgrounds embellished with figures and characters in oil.
This series expanded to include molecular depictions of other substances being studied to treat pain like psilocybin, MDMA, THC, and other molecules—adrenaline, melatonin, oxytocin, caffeine, prolactin, cortisol, norepinephrine, and testosterone—exploring the intersection of art, health, and science.
What is important to you about the visual experiences you create?
What matters most to me is the care and effort poured into each piece. Whether I’m working on a commissioned portrait or creating for myself, I strive for authenticity and quality. I'm a perfectionist when it comes to human or pet portraits—they must capture the essence of the subject in a completely recognizable way. As for my own creations, I aim to let the artwork evolve into the best version of itself.
What is your creative process?
For portraits of people, pets, or figures, I rely on reference photos as the foundation of my work. Surreal pieces, on the other hand, take shape organically—I allow the medium, water, and gravity to interact naturally, letting the spontaneous formations inspire imaginative figures and scenes. The first step of my creative process is a lot of ruminating over what I want to create and the best way to create it.
What is your favorite art accident? Did it change your perspective?
One big happy accident came just last month with a large canvas that had been taunting me during my struggle with CRPS. For over a year, I dreamed of painting a nebula in space but couldn’t muster the strength. This spring, I finally felt ready to attempt it using a new technique involving a clear coat underneath oil paint. The galaxy turned out beautifully—at first. To my dismay though, the clear coat was applied too thickly, and overnight, the paint dripped down the canvas, “ruining” it.
Initially devastated, I eventually laughed at the irony: this painting mirrored the unpredictability of my life, my attempts to control it, and my inability to do so. I decided to submit the “ruined” painting, embracing its raw story—and to my surprise, it was accepted for display at the Zhou B Arts Center’s “Collective Narratives” exhibition in Chicago, where it is currently on display.
Do you have any artistic goals for the future?
I have so many! As a novice artist accepting commissions, I am learning countless lessons and developing my skills. I plan to keep taking commissions, honing my craft, and embracing opportunities to grow. One dream is to create an ink-based series dedicated to New Orleans—a city dear to my heart and the place where I was married. This envisioned series would feature the iconic crows, oak trees, and architecture of New Orleans. Another goal is a large-scale Chicago series, inspired by my roots and lifelong connection to the city. I also aim to expand my “Painted Molecules” collection, creating a complete series that chemistry educators can buy for their classrooms.
