Portrait as Cranach, Plath, and Arno aged Nine Months

Based on “Venus and the Honeythief,” Lucas Cranach, 1472

I strive to tell stories through painting—stories that resonate with the timeless themes of journeys, transformation, and humanity’s connection to the natural world. As a woman creating in the twenty-first century, I approach these narratives from a contemporary perspective.

My paintings often comment slyly on the iconic representations of Madonnas, Saints, and Venuses throughout art history. While loosely inspired by these classic depictions, my work serves more as a reference point that departs from the traditional portrayals of Venus—those marble-like figures that, despite occupying the center of the canvas, seem devoid of human spirit. These are bodies and faces that function as mere icons or symbols, inviting viewers to project their own interpretations onto them.

As an artist, I find resonance in the masterpieces of the past, yet I often feel a lack of vitality and embodiment in these heroines. While I am interested in the female form (inhabiting one myself), my search for meaning and connection often leads me to relate more deeply to male protagonists—figures from stories and paintings created in times when women had limited freedom to express themselves.

Can I tell Venus’s story? Absolutely, and I must.

I attempt this by incorporating a self-portrait into my work. When I look in the mirror, I conjure Venus with my own face and body. By using the image of the woman I know best, I transform my Venus into a self-portrait, crafting the painting itself as an autobiographical narrative. In doing so, my Venus becomes an active participant in her story; she is not merely an object acted upon. Retaining her external persona, I aim to infuse her with the essence of human life by painting her as I see myself—the human female body and face reflected back at me.

The experience of observing the exterior from within is a perspective unique to self-portraiture. This exploration of the collision between the interior and exterior self has become the focal point of my work. It delves into the complexities of portrayal and the rich potential for narrative and meaning that arises from this process.