My visual art is often inspired by my vivid dreams. This painting references one of my dreams in which I was submerged in water and surrounded by fish in a basement. I wanted to capture my odd feelings of tranquility and acceptance within the dream. I believe that this dream was a reminder to not resist what you cannot change. 

I began this surrealist self-portrait through a series of sketches, first on small paper and then on the final 22 x 30” paper. I documented various stages of the process, from beginning to use ink wash to applying color with watercolor paint. The final piece communicates feelings of nostalgia, wonder, and acceptance. I submitted this piece to the Opalka Gallery at Russell Sage, and it was displayed at the end of the year. I wrote this statement for the gallery display: 

Lean into the water…time passes slowly, unravelling into ripples and drifting away before our eyes. Water holds everything in suspense, fish encircle to keep us still.