When I was growing up in the late 80's / early 90's I didn't feel represented in the dolls I played with and the movies I watched. There were no American Girl dolls or Disney princesses that looked like me and I always felt to some degree that I didn't belong. I didn't have the words to articulate it back then but there was a constant feeling of feeling unseen. By the time the dolls and princesses started to represent me in some capacity - I was older and had outgrown them. I'm grateful young people don't have to experience this now days and this painting is my way of reversing this painful feeling as a child.

I painted this during the 2024 US presidential election during a time where these feelings were triggered for me. From left to right I have represented what I feel defines an American. I wanted to begin the painting with honoring Native Americans and the painting ends with the last US state, representing Hawaii - birthplace of my grandparents born on a sugar plantation in Maui. There are many messages within this painting that aim to include all walks of life and all people. My hope is that when viewing this painting it is not easy to find yourself in just one doll. Paradoxically to remind us of how easy it is to find common ground with each other and how much we can see ourselves [and our stories] in other people.

From left to right: Native American Barbie, Liberty Barbie, Non-binary LGBTQIA+ Barbie, Asian Barbie, Middle Eastern Barbie, Barbie, Latinx Barbie, Curvy Barbie, Physical Health Barbie, Mental Health Barbie, Career and Mom Barbie, Hawaiian Barbie