When did you start creating? 

I discovered my love for art at an early age and it has been a constant companion ever since. After a tragic shooting at my high school, I started attending art therapy where I was introduced to a variety of techniques — including the string art that would become deeply meaningful. Creating has been a lifeline. It’s a space to express my emotions freely and authentically. I soon began to seriously pursue art as a potential career. 

Why is creating important to you?

Creative endeavors involve bringing the intangible to life. Art transforms thoughts, emotions, and curiosity into something you can see, hear, or touch. It’s a bridge between imagination and reality, where abstract feelings find form and fleeting ideas gain permanence. 

What makes creativity powerful is the willingness to step away from familiarity and comfort. When you allow yourself to wander and experiment, you step outside your comfort zone. That is where meaningful growth happens.  

For me, these endeavors nurture both my heart and mind. They help me untangle what I cannot process, and express when words fail. They give shape to internal, quiet, unspoken thoughts — speaking through color, movement, and form.

I think creativity can be freeing, frustrating, and healing. 

What is your most meaningful piece?

My most meaningful piece is one that I made with my dad. I ended up giving it away to a favorite Christian musician. 

The large canvas burst with color and was made with lots of love. No matter how you turn it, you’ll discover something new. From my eyes, viewed vertically, it bloomed like a radiant flower. Yet, from the side, it transformed into a flowing mystical fish tail — alive with movement and mystery. 

Creating this piece was a collaboration  —  I asked my favorite person in the world, my dad, to join me. Working with him was fun and special, especially since this was my first time attempting the string art process. 

After finishing, I brought my paintings to “Alive” — a vibrant Christian music festival held annually in Ohio, packed with artists, bands, camping, and community. My dad and I thought it was the perfect place to share my work and connect with new people. Among the many talented artists there, one stood out — Steven Malcolm, a Christian rapper I discovered back in youth group. I remembered when he performed at my church years ago.

The year we attended was just a few years after the shooting, and Steven’s surprise appearance at the festival meant so much to me. After his set, I got to talk with him and share my own testimony — how his music helped me through some dark times. It felt right to give him my painting as a symbol of gratitude and hope. 

Tell me more about how you create string art — what does the process look like? 

1. Choose the size and color of your canvas
2. Choose your color palette. 
3. Cut the string long enough for the shape and length of your design
4. Dip the string in the first color or mixture of colors.
5. Use a paper towel to get rid of too much excess. 
6. Drape the string on the canvas however you want, then pull the string in one direction across the canvas to leave a symmetrical paint trail design behind. 

I think there is something therapeutic and unique about it and I like how no pieces ever look the same. The way the watercolor seeps into the string, holding the richness of each hue almost feels magical. As you slowly pull the string away, you capture vibrant movement.

Sometimes I like to experiment with painting the background first. I’ve tried using black acrylic beneath bright colors. 

The best part is you can keep going — layering on colors and shapes. Each repetition builds a richer picture. I like expressing emotions through different colors.

Tell me about a moment that inspired you to keep creating.

Back in high school, during the first semester, I got switched out of my algebra class and placed into a design concepts class — which I had already taken and passed. When I walked in, the teacher looked at me and said something along the lines of, “well, you’ve already done this, so do whatever you want”. That unexpected freedom became a turning point for me.

With no strict assignments holding me back, I took the opportunity to experiment with new paints, styles, and techniques. That’s when I fell in love with oil paint. I was drawn to how smoothly it blends and how rich the colors felt. Everything seemed to melt together. The result of that exploration was a small, portrait style painting of a vase of roses. Seeing how it turned out sparked encouragement to keep creating. It’s wild to think how a random schedule change turned into the beginning of something that I loved.  

What do you think about while you are creating?

When I paint, my mind is always stirring with countless thoughts — imagining how something will look and feel, carefully choosing colors that speak to what I want to say, weaving emotions through every movement. Each brush stroke becomes a reflection of both intention and feeling, capturing a glimpse of my inner world. 

How do you hope to grow as an artist?

I am eager to deepen and expand my mastery of oil painting techniques — exploring the rich textures, subtle layers, and blending possibilities. From mastering glazing and impasto to experimenting with varied brushwork and palette knife methods, I want to push the boundaries of my creativity and bring greater depth, vibrancy, and emotion to my work through this medium.

If you had unlimited access to different materials, what would you get and how would you use it?

I’d stock up on different size canvases, paints, and brushes. 

What is something you have always wanted to create but never had the time or materials to try?

I would love to paint a field of flowers with mountains in the background with an impressionist style on an extra large canvas with oil paint.