Acrylic, House Paint, Airbrush on canvas.

30 x 48 x 1.5 in.

Artist Statement:

This painting, "You’ve Already Won," was born from a unique and intense creative process. Created during my 50-day confinement in an all-white room for a documentary project, this piece represents a raw start to my journey.

Initially dubbed "Punching Bag," this canvas bore the brunt of my pent-up energy and nerves. Every morning, as I prepared for a studio day, I would release my tension by punching, throwing, and even hitting tubes of paint at this canvas with my golf driver. It became my warm-up, my way to channel the anxiety of being constantly observed into something tangible.

For about a week, I attacked the canvas, covering it in a chaotic, abstract mess dominated by shades of blue. Amidst this turmoil, a figure and a basketball net began to emerge. Intrigued by what the abstract background was revealing to me, I outlined these shapes, allowing the piece to communicate its own story.

Through this process, I realized that despite having no initial creative plan or direction, the act of starting and engaging with the canvas was a victory in itself. This epiphany led me to retitle the piece "You Already Won," celebrating the essence of taking the first step and the figure triumphantly shooting hoops.

The piece stands as a testament to the power of release, the unexpected beauty in chaos, and the realization that success often lies in the mere act of starting.