Senza Mermaid

I HAVE NEVER OFFERED PRINTS OF MY WORK AND AFTER 15 YEARS I WANT TO MAKE LIMITED EDITION PRINTS FOR PEOPLE TO ADD TO THEIR COLLECTIONS. I WANT TO CONNECT WITH PEOPLE WHO LOVE ART AND DREAM DEEPLY.  

A group of four women sitting at a bar with colorful lighting and decor, one woman in the center leaning on the counter with her head resting on her arm, dressed in vibrant, colorful mermaid-themed attire.
A woman with pink hair wearing makeup and pearls resting her head on her arms at a bar counter with a blue cocktail, sushi, and another person in the background

MY FIRST OFFERING IS THE SENZA MERMAID AND HOMESICK LIMITED EDITION PRINTS.

Buy now
Hand-drawn sketch of a seafood restaurant with a mermaid sitting at a table, illustrated with notes indicating a window, sushi, mozzarella, and a chef.

I DREW THE SKETCH OF A HOMESICK MERMAID EATING SUSHI LAST YEAR. I WOKE UP FROM A VIVID DREAM AND FEVERISHLY DREW THIS IMAGE ON MY PHONE WITH MY FINGER.

I WASN’T SURE WHEN I WOULD GET THE OPPORTUNITY TO SHOOT THIS IMAGE, BUT IN FEBRUARY WHEN AN ADVERTISING AGENCY I HAD PREVIOUSLY DONE WORK FOR POSTED A PHOTO OF THE SENZA MAESO BAR ROOM, I IMMEDIATELY ASKED IF THEY WOULD EVER LET ME SHOOT IN THE SPACE. I HAD A GALLERY SHOW DURING SXSW AND WAS TRYING TO CREATE IMAGES LAST MINUTE. I RAN OUT OF TIME FOR THAT SHOW AND DECIDED THIS WAS MY MOMENT. 

I KNEW SU HWEI DEWITT HAD A MERMAID TAIL BECAUSE SHE WAS IN A MUSIC VIDEO I DIRECTED AS A HOT DOG EATING MERMAID IN A FISH TANK (MIKKY AND THE DOOM - H2HOE). MY LONG TIME MAKEUP COLLABORATOR, MADISON MILLER, SIGNED ON TO DO THE MERMAID MAKEUP AND I GOT GOOSEBUMPS. THE KIND OF RUSHING FEELING IN MY STOMACH WHEN A PROJECT FEELS RIGHT. 

A woman is submerged in a glass tank filled with water, holding a string of pearls in her hand and waving with her other hand, while sunlight illuminates her hair and the water surface. A person outside the tank is holding a tray of food in the background.

Still from the Mikky and the doom music video - h2hoe

I GREW UP BETWEEN A FARM TOWN OF 800 PEOPLE AND NORTH DAKOTA, SO GROWING UP I READ A LOT AND MY IMAGINATION CARRIED ME. I HAVE ALWAYS IMAGINED MAGICAL BEINGS IN MODERN SITUATIONS AND IT MAKES LIFE INTERESTING. I HAVE ALWAYS FELT LIKE I STOOD OUT AS A QUEER ARTIST AND RELATING TO FANTASTICAL CHARACTERS HAS BEEN EASY FOR ME. 

AS AN ADULT I STILL DAYDREAM, BUT WITH A MORE REALISTIC LENS AND THE GIFT OF YEARS OF CREATIVE EXPERIENCE I CAN SHARE WHAT I SEE IN MY HEAD. 

A person dressed as a mermaid with a purple and pink tail is sitting at a bar in a restaurant or bar. The background features a lit mural with concentric circles and shelves stocked with bottles. There are other patrons at the bar, and a bartender is behind the counter.

The photoshop mockup I sent to the cast and crew

If I were to know a mermaid, I could see her being sad and missing home and a more simple life without hustle culture, alarms, rent and bills, insane food costs, oppression, senseless hate and the pain of every day living in 2026. 

Have you ever been homesick while being home?