Artist Statement

My practice explores the enduring tradition of portraiture through the language of contemporary figurative oil painting. Drawing inspiration from Old Master painters and historical representations, most recently of animals, I examine how these creatures have been portrayed throughout art history as symbols of beauty, power, companionship, and human connection.

Through a process based on classical techniques, observation, and oil painting, I create works that focus on movement, presence, and the emotional qualities we recognize in animals. I am interested in the space between observation and interpretation, how a gesture, posture, or gaze can reveal a sense of individuality and emotional presence.

Rather than portraying subjects as decorative motifs, I approach them as complex beings with their own presence and significance. By revisiting the traditions of animal portraiture through a contemporary lens, my work reflects on our evolving relationship with the natural world and the ways animals continue to shape our understanding of connection, vulnerability, and memory.