Chroma in the sunset, 2022

Oil on canvas

48 x 36 in

This piece marks a personal milestone as my first oil painting, created between 2021 and 2022. This large, self-portrait captures a moment of reflection and resilience. Standing with a hand on my hip, gazing off to the side, I challenged myself to push the boundaries of color, creating an intense and saturated skin tone to reflect the vibrancy and complexity of self-representation.

The painting also captures the profound beauty and emotion I felt while gazing at a sunset, infusing the portrait with warmth and depth. The folded mask hanging out of my pocket subtly hints at the period in which this was painted, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. This small detail anchors the work in a specific time, marking a global moment of uncertainty and adaptation.

This piece is not only a test of my technical skills but also a personal reflection on endurance, identity, and the strength found in challenging times, with the sunset serving as a symbol of beauty amidst uncertainty.