Paintings
Rider
2023
Oil paint on canvas
16” x 20” inches
In this painting, I explore the dynamic intersection of my identities as a queer, trans Filipino-American. The work depicts a queer-coded cowboy being thrown from a carabao-bull hybrid, a creature that exists in an abstracted reality. The cowboy is dressed in leather, an iconic symbol within queer kink culture, and as both a cowboy and leatherman, he embodies contrasting expressions of masculinity.
The hybrid beast is a fusion of the carabao, the gentle and hardworking national animal of the Philippines, and the bull, a symbol of aggression commonly associated with rodeo culture in Texas. This blend represents the tension between my Filipino heritage, grounded in the values of humility and labor, and the raw, often confrontational forms of masculinity present in Western culture. Through this interplay, I examine the complexities of identity, strength, and the struggle for self-empowerment.
Self Portrait
2019
Oil painting on canvas
18” X 24” Inches
This self-portrait, created during Pride Month, is a celebration of my trans identity and the freedom I’ve found in embracing my authentic self. It marks a pivotal moment—my first portrait reflecting the truest version of who I am. The rainbow aura and the eagle on my forehead symbolize the vibrant strength that comes with self-love and acceptance, honoring both my journey and the beauty of living fully as myself.