I created this portrait of my sister Emily. One thing about Em, she’s gonna have her trinkets. and her memes. and be a sweet baby angel.

There are so many little details to this piece; a ceramic origami crane incense holder, a comically small teacup with a crocheted coaster, an ominous duck telling you that you “best be sleepin”.

If collecting trinkets is a genetic trait, the Faust Family’s genes are unstoppable.

The thing about trinkets is you often get them to remember something special and I feel lucky to know most of the stories behind the one Em has chosen to showcase in her room.

In painting these details on the shelves, I also find myself recognizing many of the books that were “borrowed” and (allegedly) read - it’s okay bud, I forgive you.

Initially the carpet was bare, but as I neared the end of painting, I realized that one thing was missing: the “mess”.

Em and I were called the tornado twins growing up because we seemed to bring in mess wherever we went. I wish I could say that’s gone away with age, but it hasn’t. Alongside memes and art, our mess bonds us still.