WATCH ME ROT
a series exploring grief through the lens of food
Watch Me Rot, is a series where I reflect and move through my grief following the death of my boyfriend this summer. These paintings will emphasize the power of rest through the lens of food. Some of the best foods are created through fermentation (often mistaken for rotting). They require uninterrupted time to sit, and go through a process of preservation, something that is natural. This transformation in stillness reminds us that rest is not stagnant, it is preparation.
PAINTINGS available March 12th
At 6pm PST, early access at 5PM PST
Subscribers to my mailing list will have early access to the paintings at 5PM PST (sign up below). They will be released to the public at 6 PM PST.
Take me home
The first painting in the series features jars of pickles lined up on shelves, and it reflects on the misconceptions around grief, the process of healing, and the comfort of traditions.
Cured
The second painting in this series emphasizes that grief is not meant to be cured, it is a reflection of the love for a person who has died which is a beautiful thing. Meat and cheeses are meant to be cured but not grief.
Good Morning, Darling
The third painting in this series is a love letter to myself during those mornings where it is difficult to get out of bed. Grief can freeze you in place as it comes in waves but being surrounded by good people and good food can make it a tiny bit easier.
Say Cheese
The fourth and last painting in the series explores a major transition that happens through grief - one that expands the mindset in creating space for multiple emotions to exist simultaneously. A time in grief where one transitions back into socializing and something as simple as a smile can feel unfamiliar and uncomfortable.
More About The Series
“Some paintings in this series will take on the literal meaning of fermented (or ‘rotting’) foods, while others represent moments during my grief where I found comfort in certain foods while I, too, was ‘rotting’. This series is about allowing space to simply be - to process, grieve, and rest.”
“The title, Watch Me Rot, is a declaration of strength and defiance. In North American culture, which glorifies the grind and minimizes rest, to ‘rot’ can feel a bit rebellious. It challenges society’s discomfort with grief and the vulnerability that comes with it.
To ‘rot’ is to pause without shame, to grieve without apology, and to heal in your own time. It’s a statement that grief cannot, and should not, be rushed. It requires the same patience as fermentation, transforming over time into something new. Through this series I invite you, the viewer, to confront the discomfort of rest, grief, and vulnerability while witnessing the quiet strength in allowing yourself the time to simply exist and process.
Grief is a part of me and my art, and this series reflects my journey through it. Food and community are central to my painting because grief should not be felt alone, just as food often brings us together.”
Art has been a lifeline - I have often said to others over the last few months that art is, quite simply, saving my soul. Through painting, I have leaned into myself, and let go of control. Grief and death have taught me that not everything demands an answer - something we, as humans, often resist. Art has given me the space to let go, to trust the process, and to find beauty in the uncomfortable and unanswered.
I intend to make this a collective series, rooted in community (we need more of this). Not only do I feel ready to share my grief through art, but this time of year also feels fitting; ’tis the season to rot.