"The Myth of Being" is an art piece I started in 2016, based on a photo of myself from 2011. I purposely left it unfinished because I believe, like the painting, I'm still very much a work in progress.
Around the main figure of myself, I painted symbols that tell different parts of my story: dragonflies for change and transformation, butterflies for new beginnings, stars for hope and guidance, hearts representing both love and heartbreak, and peace symbols showing my wish for harmony in life. The colors swirl and blend together, just like how our experiences and emotions mix together in real life.
This painting explores who I am, my personal journey, but also questions the stories we tell ourselves about who we are and who we are supposed to be. 

When I set out to paint "The Lone Quixote," my goal was to infuse new energy into Cervantes' timeless narrative. I aimed to capture the essence of Don Quixote through a modern, expressionist style that profoundly inspired me. I chose intense, fiery colors that seem to leap off the canvas, intending to reflect the passion and drive behind Quixote's legendary quests. By including pumpjacks in the background, I highlighted the tension between nature and industry. The cowboy and the longhorn, symbols of tradition, coexist alongside modern machinery, alluding to the complexities of progress. To me, "The Lone Quixote" serves as a commentary on our ever-evolving sense of identity, where tradition and innovation coexist in an ongoing dance.
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"Winter Nights and City Lights (Austin, Texas)" depicts a lively urban night scene, with the city lights creating a mosaic of vibrant colors against the dark sky. The colors seem to dance across the canvas adding a touch of whimsy. The buildings are illuminated and colorful, showing the energy of city life after dark. The shapes and lights are depicted with a slightly blurred, almost melting quality, giving the impression of movement and the bustling nature of the city. The lights reflect off surfaces, suggesting the lively atmosphere of a city that's awake and active. This piece conveys the colorful and dynamic nature of Austin. 
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"Tower with Skies Full of Wonder" portrays the iconic UT Tower, a symbol of academic achievement and Texan pride, standing tall against a tapestry of enchanting skies. The skies, painted with strokes of pink, blue, and purple, suggest a world of imagination and possibility, as if reflecting the boundless aspirations nurtured within the university's walls. The tower itself is illuminated in a warm light, giving it a sense of strength and timelessness. This piece is not just a representation of a structure; it is a tribute to the pursuit of knowledge and the awe-inspiring journey of discovery. The painting invites viewers to gaze upward, beyond the everyday, into a realm of wonder and dreams, much like the students who pass beneath the tower's shadow, encouraged to reach for their highest potential.

"Misty Memory (Austin, Texas)" is a colorful, abstract representation of the Austin cityscape as seen from the shore of Lady Bird Lake. The brushstrokes form a mosaic of shapes and colors to depict the scene. The color palette was deliberately chosen to include a few hues that blend harmoniously. Warm shades of orange, yellow, and pink fill the image with warmth, while the cool blues and purples offer a striking contrast in both color and mood. The city's buildings are rendered in simplified forms, almost merging with the background, except for the bridge, which is prominently outlined as a clear horizontal line. The reflection in the water is subtly blurred, adding to the artwork's tranquil, dreamlike atmosphere. It captures the essence of a fleeting moment; though the precise details may have faded over time, the warm emotions associated with the memory remain vivid and enduring.
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"Dancing Poppies" evokes the gentle sway of springtime flowers in a mesmerizing display. Vivid reds and tender pinks of the poppies stand in delightful contrast against the warm creamy pastels of the backdrop, creating a scene that’s alive with movement. The green vase anchors the composition, its varied hues echoing the dance above. Brushstrokes are both bold and tender, imbuing the work with a sense of rhythm and the poppies with a lifelike quality. It’s a visual ode to the joyous dance of nature, capturing the essence of a bright, breezy day where each bloom moves to the soft symphony of the changing seasons. Through this piece, the viewer is invited to sense the warmth of the sun and the vibrancy of life inherent in the simplest of scenes.

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"Broken Flowers" presents a bouquet of roses, with an undercurrent of poignancy contrasted by its vivid colors. The pink and white petals, while bright, may suggest a wilting or fragility, in line with the title. The rich, purple vase and textured background imply a depth beyond the initial cheerfulness, possibly hinting at beauty in imperfection or the bittersweet nature of passing time. The term "broken" may reflect on the transient beauty of the flowers, highlighting themes of delicacy and the ephemeral nature of love and life.

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"Le Chat Noir" (The Guest that Never Left) is a playful, vibrant depiction of a black cat with an exaggerated, almost human-like pose. The cat is painted with a variety of colors, giving it a whimsical, fantastical appearance. The background features contrasting patterns, adding to the quirky nature of the piece. The cat's wide eyes and alert expression lend it a curious and somewhat mischievous air. This painting combines elements of the real and the surreal, inviting viewers to engage with the whimsy and humor of the scene. The cat, as the central figure, exudes personality and seems to command the space with its presence.