My previous work has been landscapes, and, while I love painting the landscape, I felt that it was time to try new things, and to speak about what matters to me. After attending a trans day of remembrance at Loyola University Maryland, I knew that I wanted to so series of portraits on transgender people who were either murdered or committed suicide from being overwhelmed by the daily battle against hate. I wanted to use bright, saturated color to show that each person whose life was taken too soon, was a vibrant, authentic, and beautiful person who life should be remembered and celebrated. I chose to use batik, how wax to draw with, and dyes to color, and Posca paint markers. I was introduced to Posca paint markers at the Cherry Street pier in Philadelphia, PA by and artist who showed me how much color can be achieved. I took a series of 4 workshops at ArtFarm Annapolis to learn how to use how wax and dyes in the ancient practice of batik. It has been an exhilarating experience.