One piece, unframed.

18 x 24 inch (h x w)
Acrylic on canvas

Artist Statement:

Home has always been a person for me rather than a place. When I think of home, my boyfriend, Simon, immediately comes to mind. We met only two years ago, yet it feels like he’s been in my life forever. Anywhere I go with him – be it my dorm, his dorm, even public places – I feel completely comfortable and safe. I have multiple health issues, yet he still takes care of me and helps me when I need it; even symptoms that are very difficult to accommodate. Therefore, I decided to paint a portrait of us. I am the one on the right in the black shirt and he is the one on the left in the blue shirt. I made the background the trans flag and the rainbow flag because we’re both gay and trans, and also to convey that location does’t matter. I had myself leaning against him and looking up at him, to illustrate how I rely on him and deeply admire him.

When I first received this commission, I asked him to come visit me while I work on it. Just his being with me makes me so happy and helps me so much. Unfortunately, we’re both at our respective parents’ house due to corona and he was unable to come. As a compromise, we called almost every single time I worked on the painting. He was there for me and supported me, despite being unable to be with me in person.

I titled this piece mirrored foil due to Simon and I being both complete opposites and identical simultaneously. I’m loud and outgoing; I’m very outspoken about my feelings, things I believe are unjust, and things I enjoy greatly; I talk a mile a minute; I act, dress, and present flamboyantly and effeminately. Simon, on the other hand, is the opposite. He’s quiet and reserved; he prefers to listen; he isn’t outspoken and doesn’t talk nearly as much as I do; and he acts, dresses, and presents more “traditionally” masculine. However, we’ve had life experiences that are nearly identical. I cannot disclose them due to being incredibly personal, but they are major experiences and events that I thought were completely unique to me; and they line up almost identically. To add to the foil between us, we reacted in nearly opposite ways in almost every way.

Despite our major differences, we compliment each other almost perfectly. For instance, I love to talk and he loves to listen. I adore Simon with all my heart and I’m so happy I was given a chance to display my love for him for people to see. I love art and am able to communicate best through it, I hope my feelings for him are understood by those who see my painting.