Mixed Media & Sculpture

COEXIST

Mixed media on canvas

24" x 36" x 3/4"

2025

Prevail

Mixed media assemblage with light on canvas

52 1/2" x 35 1/4" x 11"

2023

From "Transcendence"

Prevail is a tiered, illuminated, monochromatic mixed media sculpture-in-the-round that utilizes an ascending progression from closed to open space, and the emergence of light, to represent one’s personal spiritual journey. A knotted rope guides viewers on an ascent through a series of defined realms, each with its own found objects. The top tier comprises an enclosure of black metal escutcheons, from which light breaks through the keyholes and cracks. The monochromatic black quality of the assembled found objects is designed to emphasize their form over the functions they once served. The rope, acting as a lifeline and a vehicle for transcendence, breaks free of its confines, rising into the light and beyond. In our own lives, we can harness our spirituality to deconstruct and transcend our own barriers in our pursuit of purpose and meaning in life. Our faith and indomitable spirit instill in each of us the strength to survive and overcome physical impediments that tie us to the mundane, in the hope that our light will continue to shine into a new day.

Rise

Mixed media on horizontally positioned canvas

2023

From "Transcendence"

is an achromatic, open-form mixed media sculpture-in-the-round that explores our capacity to summon our inner spiritual power. A series of organic white shapes struggle to break free from a cluster of gnarled black forms that emerge from the viscous base. Curving and twisting, the ascending shapes of light—evoked by the reduction of form, the absence of color, the open, interconnected contours, and the directional, flowing negative spaces—reach outward and upward to elude and then overcome the dark forms. Through its abstractness, the darkness can represent anyone’s personal adversities. In contrast, the ethereal quality of the light shapes is designed to portray the essence of spirituality as not externally visible or tangible, but internally visceral. During times of conflict and struggle, we often discover that we may be stronger than we believe. Even amidst the darkest of adversities, our own light can be found and kindled within our sustained faith and hope.

Reaching for Inclusion

Mixed media relief on canvas (triptych)

114" x 27" x 3"

2019

Dedicated to my loving brother, Chris Fernandez, and to all of the people who open their hearts to individuals with autism.

Human life begins as a single cell. This one cell holds the potential of transforming into a unique human being, much like how a tiny seed can grow into a majestic tree. Deep within our twisted roots, our DNA carries the instructions for our distinctive traits and characteristics, each with a unique sequence.

Imagine a world without diversity, where everyone is the same. Imagine a world without resilient redwoods, delicate wisteria, giving apple trees, humble elm, and whispering willows. Imagine a world of people without differences.

Sometime in your life, you will meet someone with autism. You may already know or love someone with autism. Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurological and developmental disorder that lasts throughout a person's lifetime, characterized by issues associated with social interaction, communication, behavior, and learning.

Inclusion is the deliberate act of welcoming diversity and creating a environment where all different kinds of people can thrive and succeed. Diversity is what we have. Inclusion is what we do. I encourage you to open up your mind and heart to people with autism, plant seeds of understanding, acceptance, and love, and cultivate inclusion.

Journey to Self-Realization

Mixed media assemblage on kinetic wood base

2019

Everyone has their own life journey to embark on, their own story to tell. Journey to Self-Realization is an artistic expression of my life experiences and my continued journey of understanding myself, the world, and my place in it.

The ocean is the beginning of life on Earth. I began my journey here with my own birth. As I left my childhood and moved forward through life, I began the first step towards self-discovery and finding the pieces of who I am.

There are times in our lives when we may find ourselves in a place where we feel alone, helpless, and lost. I’ve been in this place before, a place shrouded in darkness, where you must face your fears and find your own way through. With self-acceptance, I pulled myself out and lifted myself up, gaining the strength to ascend beyond my struggles.

Often in life, we can be our own worst enemy as we battle our own inner emotions, feelings, and thoughts. By understanding how to tame my emotions, I learned to work with them, not against them, to achieve self-empowerment and inner peace.

Time is relative. Time can seem to go by quickly, and also slowly. Time can be our foe, and also our friend. Even when we stand still, time is always moving, melting away, pushing us forward through life.

In my continuing journey, I learned that every moment is precious and should not be wasted. By focusing on the present and acknowledging the past, we can embrace our struggles and fears, as they enable us to understand ourselves and empower us to continue striving to be better people in the future, wherever our individual journeys may take us throughout our lives.

I believe that life is a continuous journey to self-realization. We’re always in search of the purpose to our own existence, which is not necessarily the meaning of life, but the fulfillment of our own potential. By gaining a better understanding of our true selves and embracing our weaknesses and our strengths, we can all strive to become the best people we can possibly be to contribute to a better world for everyone.