I work in clay, watercolor, and line—shaping, washing, and tracing fragments of feeling into form. My hands follow quiet narratives, turning earth and color into moments that speak. Each piece becomes a small story, a lesson carried in image—where texture, light, and shadow hold what words often cannot.

I find inspiration in the woods where I live, in the slow drift of clouds and the quiet way they reshape the sky. As a firefighter, I’ve learned to notice small changes—how light, air, and movement can shift in an instant. In my work with children, I find a different kind of clarity, teaching lessons I once had to learn on my own. Between the sky above and those moments of guidance, I find ideas taking form—stories of growth, awareness, and change that I carry into my art.

I would use the $25,000 to invest in my education and growth as an artist, while also giving back. I want to create work that teaches and connects, and use what I’ve learned to mentor others. It would also help me support my family, giving me the stability to focus on building something meaningful.