Art has always been a part of me and has helped me through some of the toughest periods in my life. I grew up in a family full of artists. My three sisters, mother, and I were all artistic as well as many members of my extended family. I enjoyed spending my free time developing my skills and showing my finished work to my family for feedback.  However, it wasn’t until freshman year of high school that art became one of the most important components and outlets of my life. In the middle of my freshman year, my father lost his 2-year battle with cancer.  At times where I had no one to turn to, I turned to art as a way to cope and express my emotions. During this time, I discovered my passion for hyper-realistic charcoal drawings, such as that of Robert Longo. It was the meticulous and detailed work that allowed me to escape reality for a little while and get lost in my artwork. I then began branching out into more surrealistic work. These works were inspired by feministic, whimsical themes and the supernatural. Nature and ephemeral objects have become the central focus of these pieces. I use a variety of media, as I often hop around from one medium to another, using that which brings me the most inspiration at the moment.