I create art because it’s how I make sense of being alive. I feel things deeply, and creating gives that energy somewhere to go.
You decide who will appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!
Portrait series are my favorite because they let me capture the depth, humanity, and stories within people. It’s where connection, emotion, and truth come together—turning a moment into something lasting.
Where do you find inspiration?I find inspiration in people—their stories, their energy, the quiet moments that reveal who they really are. It’s in everyday life, in connection, in the subtle beauty most people overlook.
What would you do with $25,000?I’d use $25,000 to create—funding a portrait series that tells real, human stories. I’d invest in travel, time, and the space to fully immerse myself in people and their worlds. The goal wouldn’t just be to make images, but to create something meaningful that connects, uplifts, and reaches as many people as possible.
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