My paintings explore ancestral memory in relation to land, animals, nature, and femininity. Compelled by the loss of my family’s farm and my experience as the last generation to tend the land, I paint figures and animals, often together, to represent the ties between past and present, highlighting the importance of ancestral lineage in land stewardship. Animals and nature act as mirrors to our own souls, reflecting traits that we can embody when we attune to the energies of our surroundings. Using classical oil painting techniques historically used by male artists, and deeply inspired by the artworks of artists such as Sargent, Courbet, and Velázquez, my work reflects on humans' ability to emotionally connect with other nonhuman beings. This ability transcends culture, language, race, and nationality, bringing into focus our unique yet collective relationships with land.