During my investigations with painting in the graduate program at Wayne State University, I eventually reached a point where my painting broke from the conventional traditions of easel painting. Instead of using traditional canvases I was able to explore various and unique types of backgrounds to broaden the possibilities of my creative expression.Exploring new modes of expression and rebelling against the restriction of traditional modes, would lead me to explore my identity not only as an artist, but also as a female. I feel the abject reflects the male’s perspective on the female body in all forms and physiology. I am intrigued by the visual tension created by merging the oppositional forces of beauty and the abject, and it is an apparent theme throughout my workBy rejecting the expectations of a traditional female artist, I approach painting in a more aggressive fashion. I have developed techniques that involve constructing, deconstructing and reconstructing, pushing, pulling, cutting, slicing, folding, stitching, splattering, shredding and spraying. Each piece is transparent in regards to its history, and steps involved in its creation are visually evident in the final piece itself. I incorporate painting, sculpture and installation in my work, tending to stay away from one single form of expression. I am intrigued by the conflation of disciplines, never placing limitations on the potential for each piece. My process is a hybrid blend of techniques and painting approaches, including automatism and synchronicity, the abject and feminism, and action painting. Similar to action painters, my paint handling is aggressive and direct, spontaneous and instinctual, as I vigorously sweep, gash, drip and spill fluid paint.Beauty is the path to self-discovery, remaining true to self, even if it strays from the standards set before us.