Art is a happy place for many people, including me. Art has always made me feel special, and I love that there are endless possibilities in creating art. As an artist, I am often asked which have medium I prefer. I am always up for new experiences involving any type of art, but I feel most comfortable with colored pencils. But because colored pencils is my favorite medium, I have spent a lot of time trying to push myself to become more skilled and comfortable with other materials like acrylic, water color, collaging, pencils, pens, and etc. I have also found a passion for creating mixed media work and using materials in a more unique way. For example, in my most recent work, I have stacked canvases, created playlists to go with my paintings, and used Covid-19 masks as a frame for Covid related paintings. If you read my mom’s journal that she has kept about me from my birth, you will learn that I loved to draw since I was in pre-school, but it wasn’t until I was in third grade that I started taking extracurricular art classes at a professional studio. I truly appreciate that my parents have encouraged me and continue to support me in doing what I love most. I see their pride and excitement when they view my new pieces and publish photos of my work on social media. I’m also grateful for my art teachers’ and professors' guidance throughout the years, as they have been very supportive and have helped shaped me as an artist. Another important influence has been my grandma, or "Grams" as her grandchildren call her. For as long as I can remember, she has encouraged my art and has worked alongside me to create many projects- from making crafts when I was very young to painting stones and drawing from observation as I grew older. Her own beautiful art work inspires me to continue to work hard as an artist. I look up to her a lot, as she is passionate on many levels, as a mother and grandmother, as a teacher, and as an artist. And not only am I inspired by others, but I am also inspired by my own work. When I start a new piece, I always analyze it and think about where I can go next, and when completing each piece, I also hope that others will be inspired by my work, the same way others inspire me. As I begin to face the final semesters of my undergraduate experience, I am reflecting more often about where I want to go with my career. I hope to become an art therapist because art has helped me give voice to my feelings and better cope with life’s struggles, and I want it to do the same for others. I have known since high school that this is what I want to do with my life’s work, but it wasn’t until recently that I have become confident enough as an artist to believe that I will truly be able to help others.