My life as an artist began in Ventura, California, in 1982. I was raised with the gentle mornings of Bob Ross on television, and from that early, steady influence my love for art became a constant, comforting companion throughout childhood and into adulthood. I believe deeply in human rights and the vital importance of freedom of expression for every person. I am particularly drawn to people who have shaped a simple, honest life—those who fall in love with everyday moments, who find meaning in quiet routines, and who do not pretend that value comes from material complexity or from proving themselves better than others. I consider myself, too, a straightforward person who longs for more and searches for a true sense of belonging, yet I struggle at times with being someone who is afraid of fully being confident in my own skin. I want my life to mean something enduring, and my art remains the one true way I can bring into being what my heart and mind have long been trying to express.