Pink Skull, 2016
24''x30"
Acrylic paint and paper on stretched canvas

My maternal grandmother passed away on my 14th birthday.  I had a really hard time dealing with this loss. She was the main support to my mom as I was growing up, so we spent a lot of time together. She was also a painter. I feel like I’ve never completely dealt with her passing.  This artwork is a meditation on that unresolved grief. 

A white and yellow skull emerges from a jumbled field of colorful shapes and gems. I began this piece using shapes inspired by Mamaw’s rhinestone jewelry. The shapes in the background are based on these glittery decorations. I like that the skull seems to be smiling.