Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

It is hard to choose! I love visual 2D art, especially charcoal and acrylic painting, because I can express emotions and ideas with vivid colors, patterns, textures, and subtle metaphors. I love musical theater, because I can express or invoke more complex feelings for myself or for my audience. This builds empathy and connection with people. I tend to merge music with art. I listen to music as I'm drawing or painting for inspiration, clarification, tonal influence, and my own entertainment.

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspirations vary. For most pieces, I choose subjects, situations, or scenes that matter to me personally. Most of these are nature, Southern life, Cajun and Native heritage, memories, places, and peaceful moments in time. For some, I consider what's important or pleasant for the community, like subjects for murals, commissions, and community art classes. For others, I take personal experiences and complex emotions and transform them into art, turning art into therapy.

What would you do with $25,000?

I would put $2500 up for each of my children for a college fund. I would use another $5000 to help pay for senior care for my parents. The other $15,000 would be used to help start a Community Arts Center in my community, allowing artists, musicians, speakers, writers, teachers, volunteers, and other creative people to do what they love without having to drive 30+ minutes out of town for artistic venues and opportunities.