At the core of my work, I strive to blend the familiar with the fantastical; creating art that marries surrealism with precision and detail is something I strive for, and I believe this allows the audience to connect to the work in a more intimate way. This is a large part of why I specialise in acrylic painting, since the high pigmentation and contrast of the medium lends itself to this goal. I try to work from a place of honesty and spontaneity, letting the pieces evolve as I create.

I find inspiration in everything. The world we live in is endlessly beautiful and filled with nuances that not even the most talented artist could fully capture. Growing up in the Canadian Rocky Mountains, the aim to bring even a small piece of this world to life in a piece of art was what drove me to start creating. I try my utmost to capture the messiness, unpredictability, wild beauty, and perfect asymmetry found in the natural world, and bring these elements to the forefront of my work.

Truthfully, I have never personally had the kind of money this competition awards, so I am not entirely sure of how to answer. I would use a portion of this money to further my body of work; however, I would also try to use the majority of this money to donate to a good cause and try to give back to the world that has allowed me to get where I am today. I feel so blessed to even be able to participate in a competition like this, and if I am able to give back, that would be my ultimate goal.