Work samples

  • The Uncatchable Ciguapa

    Step into the mythical world of La Ciguapa, an elusive figure from the folklore of La Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic and Haiti. La Ciguapa is believed to dwell in the woods and rivers of La Hispaniola. Known for her long, flowing hair and backward feet that make her impossible to track, folklore holds that she can only be captured during a full moon, but if held in captivity, she perishes.

  • Intuism 031 (I moved across the ocean)
    Intuism 031 (I moved across the ocean)
  • The woman who won't sweat (2024)
    The woman who won't sweat (2024)
  • Dance Painting sample Performance (2020-2023)

    30s video from ~10 hours across locations - The frustration of questions regarding immigration emboldened my choice to make a presence. I utilize dancing, which is a heavy tradition in my family. Playing with the idea of being subject, object and the performer of action took me to performance. The dance paintings become backgrounds or standalone pieces.

About Lusmerlin

Originally from the Dominican Republic, LUSMERLIN is a multidisciplinary artist and chemical engineer with a background in textile and cement manufacturing. She currently splits her time between Philadelphia, PA and Columbia, MD and exhibits her work nationally. LUSMERLIN’s works across media share a thematic interest: womanhood, dance, the transformation of immigration, and the scenes of daily life that accompany her journey of re-discovery. LUSMERLIN's approach to work borrows from… more

INTUISM Series

Intuism is a series of abstract work focused on the hidden layers and musicality.

  • 2024-Intuism 024 (The void deep in)-Acrylic on canvas-48in-36in
    2024-Intuism 024 (The void deep in)-Acrylic on canvas-48in-36in

    A highly performatic piece - the top layer is finished directly with hands, utilizing very energetic body movement spanning across the canvas.  

  • Intuism 002 (The gods are catching  fire)
    Intuism 002 (The gods are catching fire)

    All stories of creation have angry gods. If you look at the dancing fire in the painting, you will find that they are painted directly with fingers but also my nails have scratched and destructed what I created. Body movement is key in this process.

  • Intuism 011 (Touch me light and deep)
    Intuism 011 (Touch me light and deep)

    A few times a year, I feel like I have a memory into the future. I will live a more modern life, and I have these electrical portals to take me away from the life that I have been living.   

  • Intuism 023 (It's a magical summer)
    Intuism 023 (It's a magical summer)

    There are two seasons in the Dominican Republic: Summer and Hell. When Summer treats you kindly, and you smile at the bright sky, and blossoms are all around you: that is the topic of this painting.

  • Intuism 013 (Yet another nested dream)
    Intuism 013 (Yet another nested dream)

    I often have dreams within dreams, and sometimes nightmares within dreams. It’s like the sidewalk full of tents, where you feel trapped and never seem to be able to exit.

IMPRINT Series

  • Tea Time Stories
    Tea Time Stories
  • Imprint 021 (The Congo Congregation)
    Imprint 021 (The Congo Congregation)
  • Intuism 021 (Blossom blitz)
    Intuism 021 (Blossom blitz)
  • Intuism 031 (I moved across the ocean)
    Intuism 031 (I moved across the ocean)

IMPRESSION Series

A Black and White series of my personal life and travels, focused on light, contrast and geometry

  • Repentance not mandatory
    Repentance not mandatory
  • Parallel Universe
    Parallel Universe
  • Aunt Carole's gloves
    Aunt Carole's gloves
  • Breathe
    Breathe
  • Transient desert
    Transient desert

    Transient desert

  • Dawn's ritual
    Dawn's ritual
  • Lost in the cloud forest
    Lost in the cloud forest
  • Life by the cliff
    Life by the cliff
  • After Dawn
    After Dawn
  • Jeremiah 29:13
    Jeremiah 29:13

HOMELAND series

A series of photographs where I walk the streets of my hometown, and other places I used to frequent in Santo Domingo.

  • The woman who won't sweat
    The woman who won't sweat
  • Sticky Smile
    Sticky Smile
  • This took forever
    This took forever
  • Dreaming of Capicua 25
    Dreaming of Capicua 25
  • The American Dream
    The American Dream
  • The loss of inocence
    The loss of inocence
  • The Collector
    The Collector
  • Just Hanging
    Just Hanging
  • A dream job
    A dream job
  • Riding like Superman
    Riding like Superman

Am I pretty yet?

  • Am I pretty yet?

The Uncatchable Ciguapa

  • The Uncatchable Ciguapa

    Step into the mythical world of La Ciguapa, an elusive figure from the folklore of La Hispaniola (present-day Dominican Republic and Haiti. La Ciguapa is believed to dwell in the woods and rivers of La Hispaniola. Known for her long, flowing hair and backward feet that make her impossible to track, folklore holds that she can only be captured during a full moon, but if held in captivity, she perishes.