My recent portraits of women questions set societal norms and tell stories of personal heroes from their vantage points about their daily lives. I use familiar visual language of modern times to examine and subvert parameters set around the journey of these women. 

This painting is called The Portrait of Ms Taylor. The 7th painting in the Women's series. 

I met Ms Taylor at the school where I teach Art. She has been working for NYC public schools for over two decades. She is one of my closest, boldest and funniest friends. She makes me laugh till my stomach hurts. She is 63, the youngest at heart. I mention her age because it is a personal aspiration for me to be as lively, focused and clear as her when I am her age. 

She has put into perspective various aspects of life for me whenever I was having difficulty concentrating on what really matters. Her own life has been full of challenges, which she has overcome independently and with a forever smile on her face. 

Her amazing sense of humor, grit, resilience and caring nature  compelled me to paint her in all her glory.