My favorite type of art to create is metal art, especially kenetic sculptures. As a welder by trade, I accidentally fell into my role as a metal artists. I competed in many SkillsUSA Welding Sculpture competitions where I went on to win state twice and become a national medalist in my freshman year of college. I am now in my fourth year of making metal sculptures, and am trying to expand, get more clients, and take my dream as an artist to the next level.

I tend to find most of my inspiration in nature. Growing up I always loved the outdoors, but the ocean really stuck out to me. For all of my life I wanted to be a marine biologist, but I ultimately pursued welding. Because of my love for nature, I have made many ocean themed sculptures and one non ocean themed sculpture. I have found inspiration in other things such as people. The inspiration for my sculpture "Afterglow" (kenetic manta ray sculpture) was my friends who had sadly passed away.

So currently I work and make my artwork in my backyard. I hook up my extension chord and weld outside with no shade and not much equipment to work with. If I win the $25,000 I would use it to upgrade my tools and maybe add a concrete slab so I can roll my welder around instead of having to drag it through the grass. I also would like to use some of the money for a small CNC plasma table. Anything left over I would probably invest.