Works
Late Summer Anew, Oil on Canvas
Near the east entrance of Goldwin Smith Hall, I paused on my way to class, knowing instinctively that I would soon be painting this very view. It was one of those rare moments when I feel a scene demands to be captured—where the interplay of light, foliage, and reflections creates something truly picturesque.
That painting would come to represent a pivotal moment in my life. It marked the beginning of my return to university after a two-year hiatus working full-time. Now, it holds pride of place on my wall at home, a daily reminder of that transformative time. For me, it embodies not just the summer light and the beauty of Cornell’s campus, but the academic life I cherish. Those steps, leading up to the building I practically live in during the semester, hold memories of countless days spent immersed in studies.
The flowers remind me of the blossoming of hope. That particular shrub doesn’t bloom year-round, but on that August day, its vibrant colors stopped me in my tracks, sparking awe and a quiet joy—a moment worth preserving in paint.
If a painting can mean more than its aesthetic appeal, this one is a testament to serenity, gratitude, and the hope that continues to guide me. It reminds me of the beauty of the past and reassures me that such moments will come again.
A Coastal Vision, Acrylic on Canvas
This painting was inspired by a memory of visiting Malibu, California—a moment etched in the vivid hues of a sunset. I wanted to capture the serene sky I remembered, a sky that seemed to mirror the strokes of a painter’s brush as music played softly in the background. The sun was setting, casting its fading glow across clouds that shifted swiftly, their colors dancing in shades of coral, blue, and lavender. The reflection of these strokes on the ocean’s surface created a tapestry of light and shadow, rich and fleeting.
The painting carries a particular stylistic choice among my work—a deliberate blend of rough, textured strokes meant to evoke the hazy yet vibrant memory of that evening. It is both a reflection of my state of mind—reminiscent and introspective—yet imbued with hope, as light broke through the shadows. This piece was completed in a single sitting, striving to preserve the immediacy of the memory, just as it was in that fleeting, glowing moment.
