For my senior project, I created a monumental 40” x 64” portrait on wood panel, the first in a series celebrating women of color from around the world. The painting depicts a Hindu woman from India, adorned in traditional garb, framed by a subtle, radiant halo—a nod to classical religious art, reimagined to honor her presence. Vibrant colors bring the figure to life, emphasizing strength, dignity, and cultural pride, while the panel’s scale and material lend a tactile, commanding presence. The work transforms portraiture into a meditation on identity, heritage, and the quiet power of women across cultures