txt.ture (2023) is a portraiture series highlighting skin conditions of youth via paint, pyrography and different 3D elements such as clay and hot glue. "txt.ture" is heavily inspired by a sentence from Ocean Vuong's On Earth We're Briefly Gorgeous: "The skin, pocked with large black pores, rippled in the sunlight". The intention of this series is to study different skin textures on different skin tones, challenging white-skinned depictions within skincare.
Oil, acrylic, colored pencil, braces
and elastic rings on wood panel
5 x 7 inches
The birthmark was rendered with layers of acrylic and oil paint. The scar on his cheek was done in pyrography then painted over. Green elastic rings and arch wire were attached to the brackets (forming braces) then adhered onto the final painting for characterization.
Oil, acrylic, colored pencil and beads on wood panel
5 x 7 inches
The pores on her skin were represented by divots that were burned onto the wooden panel prior (pyrography) then painted over. The hyperpigmentation that rests on her cheeks and around her lips were represented by oil paint and colored pencil. Piercings (plastic beads) are coated in gold-colored chrome powder and adhered onto the panel for characterization.
Oil, acrylic, colored pencil on wood panel
5 x 7 inches
The scars on her face are from previous picking, a habit she’s healing from. The scars were rendered through thin layers of oil paint.
Oil, acrylic, colored pencil on wood panel
5 x 7 inches
His port-wine stain seeps onto his
eyelid, blooms on his cheek and trickles down his lips. The port-wine stain is depicted through multiple layers of oil paint.
Oil, acrylic, colored pencil, hot glue
and clay on wood panel
5 x 7 inches
Her picked pimples and mole are depicted through thick applications of hot glue and molded clay; then painted over with acrylic. She’s working on her habit of picking