This work is a series of self portraits in which I suggest a variety of scenarios that act as the backgrounds “underneath” the masks we create for ourselves in order to operate in our everyday lives. The work is shown as a triptych starting with me as a young girl, followed by a close up view through the mask, and finally in the last piece I wear no mask. To portray to this “truth”, I use traditional materials of graphite and watercolors, to depict exaggerated facial expressions that are partially covered by theatrical masks. In our American culture, emotions are often seen as a sign of weakness, causing many to feel the need to shield themselves from each other using emotional-less masks. The exaggerated facial expressions are slightly disturbing to make the viewer question the true intentions of the figures, because people never truly know the other persons intentions. In the final image I am shown without a mask, symbolizing the realization that I no longer need to fit in or hide my feelings. Using simple materials and oval framing for the images allows the work to take precious look into a two-faced society that feels it must put up front in order to exist in the world.