From the moment I was a child, my fascination with art was ignited by the animated worlds I saw in cartoons. Watching them unfold on screen left me mesmerized, not just by the stories, but by the idea that behind every frame was a meticulous process. The idea that someone, somewhere, was bringing characters to life stroke by stroke, sparked an early obsession with creativity.

My mom, always my biggest supporter, threw me my very first “art show” in our living room. She lined up my drawings like a gallery display, inviting family members to admire my work. It wasn’t a grand event by any means, but it made me feel like an artist. Her support has been unwavering since then, making it clear that art would be more than just a fleeting hobby for me—it was a way of life.

I remember walking through the aisles of AC Moore, stumbling upon "how to draw" books. Unlike the chaotic nature of school art classes, these books showed me how to focus on one thing and get good at it. That was a pivotal moment for me. It was the first time I realized I could improve my skills on my own terms, at my own pace. It felt empowering. School art classes never gave me the same level of satisfaction—until high school.

In high school, my French teacher saw something in me that others hadn’t. She suggested I drop out of language learning to focus on art, and I joined the Art Sequence program, giving me twice as many art classes each semester. This was the first time I felt like my passion was being truly nurtured in a formal setting. Through these classes, I took AP-level courses, learning the fundamentals and realizing that art could be more than just a hobby—it could be a serious path.

Around this time, I made the decision that art wasn’t just something I wanted to be good at—I wanted it to be my career. I began honing my skills with intention, applying to art schools with a clear goal in mind. I was serious now.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. One day, my professor sat me down for a hard conversation. I had been burning the candle at both ends, working as an EMT while trying to juggle art school, and it was taking a toll. He told me to either focus on my art or drop out. That conversation hit me hard. I knew he was right—I wasn’t reaching my full potential. It was time to fully commit.

I graduated with my BFA and stepped into the world of freelance. I started creating commercials for local businesses, branding packages, and even diving into 3D modeling work. The thrill of working professionally as an artist was rewarding, but something unexpected happened along the way.

My college called and offered me a teaching position. The idea of passing on what I had learned to others was something I hadn’t considered, but I quickly fell in love with it. This opportunity led me to Adelphi, where I pursued my Masters in Art Education, wanting to bring my passion for art into K-12 classrooms. It was at Adelphi that I realized teaching isn’t just about delivering information—it’s about shaping the next generation of artists.

This realization has given me a newfound sense of purpose. My journey with art has come full circle, from the wide-eyed kid watching cartoons, to the artist teaching others how to express themselves, just as I learned. Every step, every influence along the way, has led me to where I am now, with art as both my craft and my calling.