About Me
From Realism to Ideas
When I first began creating my own art, I was mostly focused on technical skill and realism. I thought that being able to draw something as accurately as possible was what defined “good art.” Much of my early work came from studying perspective, proportion, lighting, and form because I wanted to replicate what I saw in front of me as precisely as I could.
Over time, however, I realized that I was becoming interested in more than technical accuracy. As I created more work, I began asking why certain images feel unsettling, why some compositions naturally guide the viewer’s attention, and how color can completely change the way something is interpreted. This shift helped me move away from the idea that art is only about replication and toward the belief that art is also about ideas.
Structure, Systems, and STEM
Because of this, my approach to any project now begins with a question rather than simply an image or object. I think about the idea I want the piece to communicate, how viewers might perceive it, and how visual choices such as contrast, composition, perspective, and ambiguity can influence interpretation. I am especially drawn to structures and systems, which also connects to my interest in analytical subjects outside of art, including engineering, computing, and psychology.
My academic and extracurricular experiences have strengthened this connection between creativity and structured thinking. Through programs such as the UCLA Los Angeles Computing Circle Summer Program, engineering-related coursework, and independent study in engineering mechanics and structures, I have become more interested in how systems are built, tested, and understood. These interests often influence the way I make art: I like to experiment, observe patterns, and think about how small changes can affect the whole.
Recently, I have become especially interested in creating pieces that do not reveal themselves at first glance. I enjoy contemporary and modern-style works that take time to understand, where viewers gradually notice patterns and form their own interpretations. I am drawn to ambiguous works that invite people to hypothesize, question, and look again rather than accept one fixed message.
Art and Community
Outside of my personal art practice, I have also used art as a way to connect with others. As the founder and president of Ariari21, a nonprofit organization for students interested in art and community service, I have helped organize mural painting projects at senior apartments, homeless shelters, and adult day care centers. I have also taught drawing and painting to underprivileged children through the Salvation Army summer program and helped initiate art exhibitions for them.
For me, art is a way of understanding how people perceive and respond to the world around them. It is also a way to connect analytical thinking with creative expression. Whether I am working with drawing, painting, sculpture, or digital media, I am interested in how visual decisions can shape meaning, invite curiosity, and help people see familiar things in a new way.
For more details about my academic background, STEM-related programs, leadership roles, community service, and awards, you can view my resume.
