THE HERPLING PAINTINGS

Alita :: December 2025

Longer indirect figure painting. Done over 3 sessions. I'm quite happy with it, though think it needs a further level of polish. Working on this has made both more interested in incorporating aspects of the indirect painting method in my future pieces, and more comfortable/knowledgeable in the technique.

I want to rework the figure in the back a bit. It looks to clunky, too sharp.

Self Portrait :: December 2025

Large (30x40in) self portrait. Exploration of my body, being trans, the disconnect between how I actually look and what people expect of me. I tried to pose and frame it timelessly, choosing not to root the moment with any objects, instead bringing it into the contemporary using my color palette. A jarring mix of most colors. I like this one a lot, though hope to varnish it once it is fully cured. I really want the darks to pop more than they already do.

I want to rework the figure in the back a bit. It looks to clunky, too sharp.

Russel :: November 2025

First figure painting (specifically a portrait) of mine that I found to be highly successful. Clear style, maintaining an incredible resemblance to the model.

Missing Oregon with Rick Bartow :: October 2025

A more surreal piece, though one I enjoyed deeply. It makes me want to explore adding other small, surreal figures and statuary in future figure paintings. Done by chopping apart a photograph I took of one of Rick Bartow's sculptures located in Eugene, Oregon.