While I’ve tried my fair share of different mediums, I believe that sculpture is something I don’t think I’ll ever become bored of. I created oil paintings mostly when I first was getting serious about art, but when I experienced sculpting a bust for the first time I knew I had found something that stuck. Being able to tackle a subject from all angles at once rather than just on a 2D canvas gave me the challenge I needed to enhance my skills, like anatomy, lighting, and depth.

I find most of my inspiration from my grandma. I credit her for nurturing my interest in the arts. Growing up, she would take me to museums and exhibits, we painted together, and would often do arts and crafts. The thing that we most bonded over was our love for art. She taught me basic drawing techniques, she taught me how to mix colors, and how to use a variety of materials to make art. I believe that without her impact I would not have the passion or the skills I have today in art.

If I won, I would use the $25,000 to help pay for my teaching and arts degree. $25,000 would tremendously alleviate the stress of going into debt for a field that is often times not enough alone to support oneself.