Artist Statement
I became a Falun Dafa practitioner in 2005 after a long spiritual search. The practice's exposition of the principles Truthfulness, Compassion, and Tolerance helped me deal with depression and caused me to approach my life in a more meaningful and insightful way. It helped me take responsibility for my actions and let go of things over which I had no control. I was able to increase my self-awareness and self-control which resulted in a greater sense of peace and an inner calm. Falun Dafa is a sect of the Buddha school made public in China where it is now outlawed and persecuted. It is currently practiced in over 100 countries across six continents.

The Falun Dafa literature often contains stories of Taoist deities and Buddhas. It speaks of dimensional planes of existence and the elevation of one's moral character as part of the cause of experiencing these dimensional planes. These paintings combine different scenes that have flashed before me as I cultivate the principles of the practice. They also contain, as their subject matter, the stories or understandings of other practitioners.

I attempt to combine this traditional Eastern philosophy with a traditional Western approach to painting. Falun Dafa expounds upon the use of the traditional techniques of all cultures within all of the arts. I therefore attempt to approach my subject matter with as much respect and piety as I can while using a traditional western approach as the best approach for me to visually communicate my understanding. The experience of life has multiple layers to it, and I approach my process with a grisaille underpainting that becomes fully developed with the addition of colored layers.

My intentions are to visually depict my understanding of some of the spiritual aspects of Falun Dafa. My understanding is but one of many concerning the profundity of the practice. I have approached this body of work with the respect and sincerity that is a result of experiencing its subject matter.