When Art and Music Come Together
As a portrait artist, I have the unique opportunity to delve into the imagination of my muses. Every portrait aims to capture personal fantasies, memories and visions of themselves. It is a beautiful process to bring to life what each subject sees within. Once in a while I come across projects with a more personal meaning. Projects that, by their nature, call for an injection of my own emotions into the piece. Such is the case with my latest collab with the fabulous reggae artist, Hirie. 
I first discovered Hirie in 2016 when she opened for J. Boog at Culture Room in Ft. Lauderdale, FL. My family and I had moved back to Miami after living in Hawaii for years. I moved back to Miami with a goal of re-energizing my visual voice. I wanted to share my Latin upbringing with my son and for him to understand that part of the story. After all the success in Hawaii, I wanted to make that full circle back to where it all began.
On this night in May, however, I found myself painfully homesick for Hawaii. As soon as tickets came out, we snapped them up. Because who doesn’t love a reggae show and to be among island expats, longing for Hawaii just like you?
Hirie came on stage and belted out her tunes with the poise of a roots girl and the bravado of a punk ska goddess. “Who is she?” I said, “she’s fabulous!” Between “chee-hoos!” and skanking I found myself transported back to the islands. To me listening to Jawaiian beats on my car radio, feeling incredibly lucky to call the islands home.
The fan reception to the artwork has been amazing. When I look at the art, I’m taken back to those days of longing to return to Hawaii, wondering what life would have in store for us. It is this layer of gratitude that made for a special image that I hope will transport fans, if for a moment, to our beautiful paradise.
And if you're out there dreaming of being home, here's a little something for you: