UPON HEARING THE NEWS

A response to the constant saturation of political headlines and the emotional toll of living inside an endless news cycle. What had once felt like casual media consumption became a source of anxiety, anger, and exhaustion. Working instinctively with a palette knife rather than a brush, I dragged and scraped bright, optimistic color into the surface without a fixed outcome—using the act of painting as a way to purge and process. Over time, faces began to surface: wide-eyed, stunned, suspended between shock and numbness. Created over 172 days, the series includes more than 100 works, each capturing a visceral reaction to the absurdity and inescapability of the news we are asked to absorb every day.

Abstract portrait of a person with a round face, black hair, and wearing a blue shirt, using bold colors and brushstrokes.

“Trump paints himself as the real victim of Charlottesville in angry speech”, 2017
Acrylic, pastel on canvas
24” x 18”

Abstract colorful spray paint art on a white background with shapes and patterns in black, yellow, red, blue, and white.

"Trump To Values Voters: In America 'We Don't Worship Government, We Worship God'", 2017
Acrylic, pastel on canvas
30” x 40”

Abstract art of two bear faces with black, white, and green patterns on a black background.

“Trump bickers with soldier’s wife over condolence call”, 2017
Acrylic, pastel on canvas
18” x 24”

Abstract painting of a stylized human face with bold colors and shapes, including red, yellow, blue, black, and white.

“Trump threatens to withdraw FEMA from Puerto Rico, amid humanitarian crisis”, 2017
Acrylic, pastel on canvas
24” x 24”

Abstract painting of a skull with colorful geometric shapes on a black background, signed 'CR 17' in the bottom right corner.

“Trumps dinner menu: tax cuts”, 2017
Acrylic, pastel on canvas
12” x 12”

Abstract black and white painting of a face or mask with geometric shapes and expressive brushstrokes.

“Tusla teachers walk 110 miles”, 2017
Acrylic, pastel on canvas
30” x 40”