Connect What is your favorite type of art to create?

My favorite type of art to create is digital, but most of my works start out traditionally before transferred to a drawing program. The pieces I make are designed to be consumed as if walking through an art museum. My favorite creations are always those with stories hidden in plain sight, and they force viewers to be observant and retell them because everyone’s perception of the world is different. I want viewers to talk amongst each other to understand how they walk in this world.

Where do you find inspiration?

My inspiration comes from the Baroque movement, where motion and drama were the main focus. I would get lost in each painting and be enamored by the lighting choices and how they contributed to the tone. I’m also heavily inspired by gothic movies from the 90s to 2000s; the costume designs and world-building were my favorite. Both of these genres of work always made me feel intense emotions, and I try to fuse those feelings into my own pieces as I want them to be a time capsule of how I felt.​

What would you do with $25,000?

If I were to win the $25,000, I would set aside $5,000 to donate to different charities that help aid the homelessness crisis, domestic violence victims, and assist LGBT kids in discriminatory households. Then I will go pay off student loans and college bills. With what is remaining, I will invest in myself to start a business as a freelance artist. I want to create detailed illustrations with physical accessories to make my work more interactive.