CREATIVE PATH / EXPERIENCE

I've worked for years as a documentary producer- developing and producing series for PBS, CNN, Netflix and Hulu. The projects that I work on explore the stories of individuals and communities - from history and unfolding today - that are rarely told - in a range of formats; from animated short films about unsung women in history, to investigative documentary series that explore rarely-covered issues affecting communities across the country and around the world.

For the past 5 years, I've also been capturing people I’m captivated by - on subways, in streets, as well as in films and art, through drawn and painted portraits, as a self-taught portrait artist - simply using ink, marker, and gouache paint.

This love for drawing portraits seeped outside subway cars to strangers seen on road trips and journeys outside the country-- and to capturing neighbors in my neighborhood of Ridgewood, Queens, NY. I wanted to create portraits of the people who stuck with me for the stories they shared; the owner of a bed and breakfast in a coal mining town in Colorado, a couple selling textiles they made on a corner in Mexico City, a capoeira teacher in Salvador, Brazil.

Recently, I've created portraits based on artists, activists, actors, directors, characters who inspire me - from those who are little-known, to very famous. While painting or drawing, I seek to learn more about them-- gathering photos, interviews with them, links to their own body of work -- and so, the portraits, which often end up being more surreal takes on their faces and selves, ended up also echoing my work in documentary; researching, developing stories around them and an archive - and have always wanted to share more.

I haven't been able to share my art, or these women I'm inspired by, beyond a few instagram or substack posts, and one community art show, and I'd love to broaden my reach, continue my research, and capture more and more incredible women, while inviting my community and other communities into the conversation and journey of discovering them. At the same time, I hope to refine my skills in creating digital spaces, sharing and promoting my work, and the work of others.

MY DREAM

I would love to have the opportunity to take my art more seriously-- to have concentrated time to create portraits of people who inspire me, to share them and their stories more widely-- along with their own words, voices, ideas and artwork. I know that through my skills as a storyteller though producing a range of documentaries, as well as a researcher, and lover of learning about people- their lives and their work- and my unique painting and drawing style, I can bring these faces, and the lives, art, and ideas behind them, to life! I'm excited to find a potential canvas for this through Playbook!