Athena’s art
Bold, expressionist portraits and figure studies in oil pastel, acrylic, and chalk—large, human, and unafraid to meet your gaze.
Artist statement
Several years ago, I suffered a vocal injury in the studio and was told I might never belt again. What followed were multiple surgeries, episodes of vocal-cord hemorrhaging, and long stretches of strict vocal rest—days when my only way to communicate was with a pen and a piece of paper. In that silence, I turned to visual art as self-care and a way to answer the ache to sing. My voice moved into my hands.
I naturally focused on faces and bodies—the stories held in a jawline, the tilt of a shoulder, the way emotion lives in muscle and skin. Working in oil pastels, acrylics, and chalk, I push line and color hard: ochres, blues, reds; rough, gestural marks that feel like phrasing and breath. Many pieces are life-size or larger, inviting you into a close, human conversation.
I still find joy in drawing and painting every day. I believe art is how we tell the truth to one another—and that truthful stories build bridges.
About the work
Media: Oil pastel, acrylic, chalk on paper and canvas
Subjects: Portraits and nudes, with an emphasis on expressive faces and embodied movement
Scale: Often large-format and life-size
Availability: Originals and select prints; commissions by inquiry
For pricing, studio visits, or commission requests, please reach out via the contact form.
