SALT LYFE // 2021

Salt Lyfe is a series of paintings I created after moving from New York to Virginia, just before the pandemic. This body of work is deeply inspired by the folklore and mythology of my youth, reflecting both a sense of nostalgia and my connection to the natural world. The imagery captures the essence of life by the water, blending local traditions with surreal, dreamlike elements.

The first piece in the series, Chic’s Beach Crab Bake, shows women lounging on a local beach where people catch crabs in the Chesapeake Bay, a nod to the Spring Break gatherings and rituals that define the area. At the same time, the series playfully pokes fun at the ubiquitous Salt Life sticker you see on nearly every car in Virginia Beach. Through this mix of sincerity and humor, I explore the intersection of memory and our connection to place.

The work was shown in Yungspace’s virtual gallery in April 2021.