My current work is a response to a lie I told my daughter: that monsters aren’t real.After convincing her, my paintings started to appear untamed.My brushstrokes became aggressive;I created lines that were uncontrolled and chaotic.I began to see monsters everywhere I looked.I have embraced these “monsters” and become more deliberate in creating them.For me, they represent life.They represent the constant noise of hatred and oppression,the inner struggle between right and wrong,the unwillingness to see and hear other people,and all the lies we believe.They represent the brokenness in this world.And yet in the chaos, there is beauty.There are bold colors that compliment one another.There are lines that are naïve and playful.There are subtle textures and quietness in the details.I want the viewer to get close to my paintings,to feel the tension between loud and quiet, chaos and peace, weakness and strength. I want the viewer to find beauty in the brokenness and feel empowered by it.