Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

I am currently working on a project to photograph a portrait of one person from every country in the world. Each person is asked to paint a line across a blank piece of art paper, which later becomes the foundation their portrait is printed upon. Once all 195 countries are completed, the portraits will be displayed as an art installation by connecting each line segment together, ultimately creating one unbroken line the entire world painted. The message is simple, yet powerful. We are one.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration in the individual imagination of each of the people I photograph. Printing their portraits on top of their own paintings allows us to look into their eyes while simultaneously viewing part of their creative soul. My travels have granted me the opportunity to learn from cultures around the world. The heritage and folklore they carry are the beating heart of this project. By highlighting these traditions, we start to see the invisible thread of humanity that connects us all.

What would you do with $25,000?

Quest of Sages is the mission of my lifetime, and I have been self-funding it from the start. I've divided the world into 16 expeditions made up of 8 to 12 countries each. To date, I have traveled to 30 countries across 3 expeditions through Central America, Europe, and Africa. The $25,000 award would completely fund the next expedition to Southeast Asia, covering travel and art production expenses. Every vote brings me one step closer to the next country, the next portrait, and the next line.