I stumbled on some journals I had written in the 3rd grade at my parent's house one day, and found these gems. But life happened and I was too scared to succumb to the "starving artist" motif. I continued to sketch in the margins of my notebooks in school, fiddled with Microsoft paint and took a life drawing class in college, but in the end, I switched my major to graphic design so that I'd have a better chance at a financially secure future. Little did I know, that initial spark for art would come back to me after a very dark chapter in my life.

Following a suicide attempt that left me virtually bed-ridden, I just so happened to stumble across a Youtube channel on concept art. Thrilled that such a thing even existed, I became OBSESSED. I watched every art-related video I could find on Youtube, blew through self directed online classes, bought mountains of books, all the while sketching profusely, growing my skills. Coincidentally, I had a friend who started up a weekly paint night at the same time, where I discovered a newfound love: watercolor. Even after she moved away, I continued practicing, posting my work to Instagram to keep myself accountable with my newfound habit. What happened next could only be described as an act of God.

Through a series of peculiar events, too long to list here, I landed a literary agent who introduced me to the world of children's books. After about a year, the Universe would come through for me again, and I ended up landing several book deals within a very short period of time. In 2020 (of all years) I decided to take the leap and leave my secure full-time job to tread unknown waters by going full steam ahead! at illustration. I have the utmost gratitude that I haven’t had to look back. My inner-child, the me who seemed to know me better than I do now, had it right from the get go. Lawd knows I could’ve at least saved my self some trouble, had I listened!

There's something that happens when I'm deep into illustrating, when I’m "in the zone," so to speak, that nourishes my soul and makes time, to-do lists, wants and worries, fears and anxieties, heck, even life slip away. Art was and continues to be, a literal life-saver for me. If my story has done anything for you, I hope it inspires you to take chances, make mistakes (no, you can’t avoid those either), and muster-up the courage to face whatever challenges life throws at you. Take comfort in knowing that when you succeed, you’ll have emerged from the depths victorious and with your own treasure in tow. Especially with the help, love, and support of the people in your life, there’s nothing at all to fear. Nothing your mind can’t accomplish. Nothing you can’t do.