“Flower of Vanity” is a piece depicting simultaneous feelings of alienation and sensual power. I wanted to create a beautiful monster to represent my struggle of gender identity as I worked through this. The eye and lip flowers use bright, eye-catching colors, representing my hunger for attention, as I dressed in more feminine apparel to appeal to others attractions. The sharp teeth and rough leafage, however, show the inner strength I failed to self-actualize, surrounded by the rich, purple, abstract background, emulating my overwhelming, isolating feelings. The “Flower of Vanity”ultimately shows my current balance of sensuality and self-respect as I’ve evolved and grown like a flower myself.