My thesis show, “L is for Lionfish”, is a series of paintings about the perspective of The Self Aware Invasive Species. Using symbols in nature and a psychoanalytic lense, I am examining the anxious-avoidant attached and their sacrificial nature, isolation, and hope and longing for change.

I'm using psychoanalysis to frame my perspective on anthropogenic and natural occurrences.

I'm looking at nature and seeing myself.

I'm projecting.

I'm painting my projection. An invasive lionfish self portrait. A scorpion with small armor in a childhood swimming pool, that I wish I could protect. I'm using clay to make dinosaurs, turning something huge and intangible into something small and stiff in my hands, fragility inevitably remaining.

The forests on fire, a dying planet and the planet's backlash, a guilt and obligation to repair these things always sitting quiet in the back of mind. My relationship with my parents.

A forest with children running, a kid on a trampoline, a post storm ocean. A scorpion in a Puerto Rican Desert glowing under UV light.

Magic. Hope. Good things.

I am 22, first and foremost confused, and feeling split between befores and afters. Goods and bads. Art and science. Feeling obligated to choose a winner in these left and right brain races.

My work is the pursuit of integration instead, and my attempt at turning what's in part into something whole, and complete.