I began identifying as an artist in 1991 when I was a sophomore in high school thanks to my art teacher, who recognized my talent and encouraged me. This gave me permission to embrace myself as an artist. I started working on oil paintings, drawings and writing poetry. But life got in a way of my creativity, and I didn’t produce much art for about a decade. Things changed when I moved to Vermont in 2003 with the intention to reconnect to my artistic self. I spent the next five years drawing, writing, and making music. In 2008 I moved to Florida, and life got complicated again from 2009 to 2018. This time, I produced a handful of acrylic and multimedia paintings, all stemming from processing trauma. My move to Colorado in 2018 started a new phase, and I finally fully embraced and accepted myself as an artist. I realized that art is what grounds me, and brings me peace. I’ve since produced hundreds of pieces, began to have a strong Instagram following, published in some magazines, got featured in Times Square, and created a website that helps me share my work with the world. It is my gift to myself to finally commit to my passion and take my art to the next level.