In Self Made, I wanted to capture the fierce, independent grit and uncompromising drive required to build something entirely from scratch.
The composition is split by a dramatic vertical boundary, pairing a smooth, light slate-grey and canary yellow field on the left with a electric chartreuse and vivid green backdrop on the right. Bold, raw blocks of crimson and rust red press against the surface, anchored by a heavy base of deep violet and dark obsidian tones. Thick, impasto brushstrokes and aggressive squeegee scrapes carve distinct, architectural shapes across the paper, creating an assertive, self-reliant rhythm of sharp edges and textured layers that pull the viewer straight into the central divide.
Working in oil on paper, the absorbent texture grounds the heavy paint layers while allowing the rough, energetic tool marks to stand out with raw intensity. Self Made is about forging your own path—carving out success on your own terms with unyielding intent.
