I am very surrealism-based, but I am moving toward still lifes of objects with a storytelling, nostalgic tone—family, toys, and items with history. My new works are large oil paintings on canvas, ranging from 40x40 to 60x80. I am a designer and art director, but also a digital retoucher, so my skills have converged. My eye and hand for detail have united, and at 52, my humbled wisdom gives me a window into why I do what I do. It heals me. It lets me know I paint and draw for passion and survival

I find inspiration in camera, design, pop culture, and music. I run to let oxygen fuel the inspiration in my head so I can create later. Tough times have shown me that the 9-to-5 does not favor us all, and that often only the brave and driven thrive through hustle and creative persistence. I have a 3-year-old daughter who has the creative bug for art and music. We connect through that, and it makes me want to continue creating alongside her.

I would be able to sustain myself in my artist live-work space and not be a stressed-out single dad facing housing insecurity. I could develop a series and invest in my creative business. I would promote the hell out of this endeavor to generate more interest in my work and let people know I am available for commission projects. Artwork is work. People need to hear this. Creatives, in a time of AI-driven theft, are getting the sh*t end of the stick.