Soulful Garden

30x30 inches, acrylic on canvas.

The moments that inspired “Soulful Garden” was a reflection on the times I’m surrounded by my chosen family. Connecting with my Queer and artist friends in nature truly heals my soul. I wanted to depict that moment with the flowers and colors that I see when I’m in nature. Also, I wanted to capture the hidden histories of Queer intimacy and sexuality, particularly in San Francisco’s beautiful parks and natural surroundings. These spaces, which once served as secret havens for Queer individuals to explore their sexuality, now inspire a vision where POC bodies can intertwine, connect, confidently take up the space, and express their sexuality unapologetically and safely. I wanted to capture these intimate moments, celebrating the freedom and connection we can now openly enjoy.

it’s part of a continued series celebrating Queer joy and healing traumas. The interconnected and see-through bodies in the painting symbolize transparency about their feelings, highlighting the openness and vulnerability within my chosen family. As an artist, I aim to share my journey l, showing how deeply interconnected we are with the mutual support and love of those around me. These figures are entirely imaginary and a study piece where I deconstructed and reconstructed faces and anatomy by ignoring scientific accuracy. Additionally, reshaping the shadows and limiting the color palette, combined with a large floral background, was a new approach for me.