Artist Statement

My paintings begin with a spark of curiosity rather than a plan. I trust the first impulse, the most honest, unfiltered moment. There’s a certain softness that settles over everything during siesta, like a hush that seems to rest not only on the streets, but also inside the body. The world slows down, not out of laziness, but out of quiet agreement. The light becomes warmer; shadows stretch long and still. Windows are half-closed, conversations dissolve into whispers, and time feels like it’s taking a deep breath. Opening the mind to a slow paced recall of childhood memories when every color felt louder and every discovery was new, it’s in these moments that I find the feelings I want to paint. Small details I rediscover while traveling, moments that remind me of summer holidays from long ago: The crooked steps leading down to the beach, the checkered floors of a sun-warmed terrace, laundry lines hanging in bright colors between faded facades. Plates left outside from the last dinner, a ladder and bucket next to a tree weighted down by a ton of lemons or just a tiny flower by the sidewalk. Quietly unfolding their stories, inviting us to pause and simply be present. I paint quickly and directly, mainly from memory. I trust the authenticity of the moment while creating. No corrections, no painting over. Using oil pastels and oil sticks, I enjoy the spontaneity and texture that develop in the process while being free to follow my intuition. The works I paint don’t make bold statements but rather offer gentle invitations. Places, I believe, let you tell your own story just by looking, allowing you to become the main character in the picture. I want people to feel welcome to wander and fill in the blanks with personal memories and dreams, like a bridge into the artwork where you don’t just observe but become part of it. They’re meant to feel like these places, far from the digital noise and fast pace of daily life. I don’t aim to explain, not to convince, but to quietly offer a space where I, as the artist, but also everyone who feels addressed by my creation, might find a piece of themselves. These paintings are a pause. A breath. A welcoming to feel something soft, familiar, and undemanding. A moment of calm in the world, and maybe even a moment of peace in the mind.