Artist Statement:My work represents themes of happiness, nostalgia, and whimsy through still life paintings. These colorful scenes are a respite from the busy, chaotic world, and more lively than still. I'm drawn to still life as a genre because it allows me to convey a new narrative beyond just capturing reality. I often consider my still lifes as scenes in a play, featuring characters such as toy cars, fruits, flowers, and patterned fabrics. To each viewer, the script will be different. I’m inspired by classical compositions in Renaissance and Dutch still lifes, with modern touches like the use of bright, bold colors and plastic, man made objects. Following my solo show, Stories of Inanimate Life, at Gallery Umico in Los Angeles, I moved across the country to my hometown of Philadelphia where I work out of a studio in my home.