Self Portrait (Tondo)
2020
watercolor and watercolor markers on paper
This watercolor self portrait reflects my relationship with the natural environment, my cultural background, and my interest in botanical subjects. The circular composition draws inspiration from Marcos Raya’s “The Anguish of Being and the Nothingness of the Universe”. I was born in Minneapolis, and my family’s home is only a few miles away from the Mississippi River. In contrast, my mother grew up in the Caribbean. The water in this piece represents the Mississippi, as well as the Caribbean Sea. The pine cone and oak leaves are a reminder of my experiences with nature in Minnesota, especially visits to state parks. The boots floating in the water represent my love of rainy weather. The mangoes are also connected to my family history. My mother’s childhood home in Jamaica had two mango trees in the front yard. The hibiscus flowers also allude to my Jamaican heritage and my grandmother, who grows hibiscus at her home despite now living in Minnesota.