(2012)

Pastel on board

20 x 28 inches

Years ago, my father gave me a book of photography featuring primate portraits. The different primates were brought into a studio, set up with a backdrop, lights and camera where these primates were photographed just as Christie Brinkley or Kendall Jenner would be. They posed and smiled in much the same way. How close we are, the human race, to these beautiful creatures. I've always felt a great connection to animals. This book triggered the Monkey series. All pastel. All tell stories. Thank you, Father.

She is me.

It's really hard to start over when you're older. Going back to college with much younger classmates. Even the act of putting a backpack on feels weird and ridiculous. This work is about feeling ridiculous.