My Parents’ Home

My Dad’s Scar, 2006 This is an image of my father’s scar from a kidney removal surgery in the winter of 1999. He has since been diagnosed with Leukemia. This is a study of his body, which separates the way I see his shell from his overall character. These diseases have taken his body hostage, yet his spirit remains as optimistic and unaffected as it ever was. My Dad’s Back, 2006 He is on some great medication for the Leukemia and is doing a lot better, but the medication has side effects. His skin gets dry and develops these rashes. We’re not sure, but it may also be the cause of his quickly deteriorating eye sight. Reflective Self Portrait with Senior Panorama, 2006 As soon as I moved out, my parents gave every item of furniture I’ve ever known to an ex-boyfriend of mine. They asked me to clean out my bedroom then painted the walls, put in all new furniture, and hung up photographs, awards, etc. of mine from high school. It looks like I died in that room. My Mom and Her Dog, 2006 My mom got this dumb dog right as I moved out. It’s called ‘The Replacement’ sometimes. When the foundations of life begin to crumble beneath her, she clings to this dog for comfort. My dad’s illnesses and me moving out, have really taken their toll on her mental health. Reflective Self Portrait with Novelty Breasts, 2006 My younger brother had these plush breasts hanging from his rear view mirror in his Jeep. I have always had confusing thoughts on how to view myself and how others view me as far as gender roles are concerned. I am a very small chest-ed girl which can give a person an inferiority complex and ultimately feel like less of a woman.