My practice in the past years has been a developing process about finding placement within myself and my community. It originally stems from when I was a young girl living in a small town where most had a standard to be perfect. Perfection was the only thing everyone wanted to be, and I simply wasn't that. Luckily with an amazing support system consisting of my family, I was able to move out to Los Angeles where I discovered my craft. I paint large colorful marks as if I'm a kid all over again. I take images of the people in my life that accept me for who I am and create a place that I imagine in my head that calms me down. There's no judgment only equals within the space of empty muslin fabric, collage elements of large scribbles, a few words in Portuguese, and the use of mixing and matching people. The figures are collaged in a way that represents equality. Just like what my mother would always tell me, "Being different is what's most beautiful about someone" and would always call me "Bonita," which means beautiful in Portuguese. Those two comments still stood out because she was right; being different and creative isn't a terrible gift, it's beautiful. It's a language we can all learn and admire. I now found a place in my life filled with miraculous people and have grown to love me for who I am today.
