Shared Silence carries a memory from a particular season of my life.

By the time I exhibited it during Contravene, my first exhibition in Houston, I had already met Rosa a few times. Starting over in a new city as an artist can make even familiar faces feel important, and seeing her walk into the exhibition was one of those quiet moments of encouragement that stays with you.

She eventually decided to take this piece home.

Looking back, I think Shared Silence was always about that kind of connection. Not the loud moments that define relationships, but the quieter ones that hold them together over time. Support, trust, and simply choosing to show up for one another.

Every work eventually gathers a history of its own. This one will always remind me that my first Houston exhibition wasn't simply about presenting paintings. It was about discovering a community willing to believe in the work.