In the bustling heart of New York City during the new millennium, an enthusiastic copywriter finds herself navigating the intricate world of fashion during a transformative era. Poised and stylish, with her hair pulled back into a bun and her makeup meticulously applied, enhancing her features with subtle finesse and complementing her radiant complexion—all underneath statement eyewear—she gives off an initial vibe of superiority. However, upon second glance, she is simply passionate about her work.

Her attire is a reflection of her deep understanding of fashion's transformative power. But her work is about more than just words and pages filled with beautiful images. It serves as her own, and for women everywhere, a field guide to fostering positive self-image and self-confidence. Bringing high fashion and attainable style together paves the way for anyone to express themselves authentically through style. Beyond fashion, she is a woman of the Big City who celebrates the perspectives, backgrounds, and body types that make up the world.

With every swipe of her Condé Nast badge, she found herself part of a larger narrative, a contributor to Vogue's enduring legacy. And with every article penned and each image she selects, she is a part of a movement that transcends clothes, shoes and vintage earrings. Her contributions foster a sense of belonging, empowerment, and celebration of individuality.

Creative writing credit: Hattie Stearns

The background is established from multiple layers of acrylic paint, applied with a mix of intentionality and spontaneity. Splashes and scrapes create dynamic textures and colors, blending control with organic expression.

Once the background is done, I add a layer of resin and sand it smooth, establishing a sense of depth and separation from the next element—whether it's a stenciled message, textured gold leaf, or another feature. This process of layering resin continues, each layer adding distance and dimension between elements.

The portrait references are developed collaboratively with AI, using a blend of inspiration imagery. I guide the AI to refine the lighting, expression, and mood, crafting a unique visual starting point. A halftone effect is added in Photoshop to prepare the reference.

From there, I map out the portrait at full scale using a grid and a stencil with different-sized circles. I sketch it in pencil first, then fill in every dot by hand with acrylic paint. I intentionally avoid methods like silk-screening or projection that might speed up or perfect the process.

To me, it's the subtle imperfections—the human touch—that resonate most deeply, capturing the essence of the human condition and infusing the work with authenticity.

151 West 42nd Street, c. 2004

Original / one of one

40 x 52 x 3”

Acrylic, golf leaf and resin on canvas with handmade frame