Painting is very therapeutic for me. I find all of my paintings go through an awkward stage, which can feel very frustrating in the moment- but at some point in the midst of things she snaps into what she’s meant to be. When I experience those instants, it feels really beautiful. It’s a reminder to be patient, intentional and to remember that good things happen when you keep going and trust the process.

I find inspiration in nature, in my own life, and pop-culture. Observing things in the everyday and breaking them down, like how the sky transitions into the ocean during a cloudy sunset. Or how to capture someone’s likeness in the simplest way possible. If nothing else a walk through a park, museum or just flipping through my family’s photo albums gives me the inspiration to create.

I'd put the $25,000 towards an art studio/shop. My dream is to have a space where my artworks & supplies can live- readily available to be the bridge between my psyche & the world. I want to build a space where ‘mess’ isn’t something to hide—it’s something people are allowed, and encouraged to move through. The space would be a sanctuary for others in my community to come into to create, display & get inspired as well. We'd host events weekly- bringing artists of all mediums together.