I work primarily in two-dimensional painting and portraiture, capturing both human and animal subjects through a balance of observation and intuition. As an art teacher, my practice is deeply connected to exploration and experimentation—values I bring into both the classroom and my own work. My graphite drawings often move into abstraction, where I challenge traditional form and invite unexpected marks, distortion, and layered storytelling to emerge beyond realism.

I often begin with images of people and pets I admire, using them as a foundation for exploration. Much like in my teaching practice, I see these references not as endpoints, but as starting places—opportunities to experiment, reinterpret, and push beyond what is immediately visible.

I would dedicate much of the $25,000 to returning to Japan with my daughter, where we were deeply inspired by the quiet beauty and intentional pace of daily life. In Tokyo, we experienced Johnny Depp’s A Bunch Of Stuff exhibit, created indigo textiles in Kawasaki, and explored traditional weaving near Asakusa. I would return to immerse myself again and create new work shaped by that experience. I would also buy art supplies for myself and for my middle school classroom.