50:50

As a sustainability advocate, I often thrift my books. About a year ago, I came across a book called “The Truth about Children and Divorce.” This book has changed my perspective on my childhood and has given me a better understanding of why I am who I am. The background is collaged using these pages and the chapters that I resonate with the most. This was originally an observational self-portrait, which I then painted at a larger scale. The 50:50 represents the custodial arrangement many children face. 50% of my life at mom's and 50% at dad's. Perfect, right? What many don't see is the exhausting divide that creates in a child. Self-growth and individualism become a challenge when 50% of my life doesn't reflect the other half. Hence my decision to reflect this typography.

Linoleum Cut Print + Development

This piece shows the development of my linoleum cut print (left). To the right is a self-portrait drawn from observation. From top to bottom is my process of transferring the lead to my block and carving. This self-portrait represents my day-to-day struggles of being a product of divorce. Making a Linocut block allowed me to make multiple prints, which I used to symbolize feeling like my head is in a million places at once. I took advantage of the contrast these prints show by highlighting my under-eye bags. An average week for me included late nights because I struggled to shut my brain off after hearing fights. Although it is difficult to make a perfect print, I didn’t want to. The organic and unique texture each print creates is a guessing game and appears chaotic, similar to my life.