junior year work

Through my current mediums of choice– canvas and acrylic paint. I choose to discuss my experience of navigating life while growing up as a Native American woman, with an emphasis on topics of loneliness, and self-hatred turned into self-love. Although my work is not by any means a tell-all of all experiences of being Indigenous. I wanted to touch on this topic because while I was growing up, I never saw any “accurate” perspectives from a Native American in any sort of media whatsoever. With that being said, I love to do self portraits because it is not only convenient to be my own model, but it has taught me to appreciate my features more and more with every portrait. Which conveniently aligns with the topics of my current work, because ultimately I am learning to accept myself the way that I am. My work may discuss very uncomfortable and sad topics, and although I do not want to sugar-coat my experiences, I don’t want that to be the established purpose of my pieces. My main goal is to show what I’ve grown from. I want to show everyone how I’ve used those terrible experiences to catapult me and my actions of the future. I want to show other Native American children like me that they are worthy enough of change, and that they are worthy enough to chase their dreams.