Dramatis Personae

Dramatis Personae is an homage to the old masters: their brilliant use of light and the raw emotion of the characters portrayed. Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Vermeer… I grew up captivated by their stunning works, found hanging from museum walls but also in art books at home. I watched the way my father would study each and every page for long periods of time with a smile on his face. He loved to explain how the artists created the work, and share other details that felt like little secrets. The quality time we spent together admiring art changed my life.

They say the strongest work comes from what we know and love, so my transition into painting through the use of a camera was natural. This world of Dramatis Personae feels native to me, with all its quirks and darkness. I take refuge with these people, citizens of a lost place, long forgotten. I’m moved by other lifetimes, other identities. It has often been a struggle for me living in the present, feeling so out of place in this modern age. I’m always looking to find my people. I’m always searching for home.

Each character is embraced by an antique frame that carries its own story. I often wonder who owned them beforehand, or which walls they hung from while being admired throughout time. Often delicate because of age, they are an important component to each piece, bridging the gap between past and present. I’m a firm believer that artists should use any means necessary to communicate the stories that live within them. It’s vital for me to show the essence of humanity in a way that moves far beyond trends and honors the souls of the “ordinary” who are indeed extraordinary.