Born from seemingly insignificant seeds to paint for dreamers.
From working in neuroscience to becoming a surrealist painter, my life is about unshackling the mind.
"Get into the real world!" yelled my mom from our trailer's narrow hallway. We were near the spot where I fell through the rotten floor and found a possum hiding behind the toaster.
At age 10, I vowed external circumstances wouldn't limit my life and kept dreaming.
Childhood was demanding because I was a farmer and developed arthritis by 15. Additionally, it was painful because my dad drank 12 beers daily, and my mom defended his abuse.
As a teenager with damage, my grandparents began raising me. But each time my Grandpa's lungs collapsed, my grades collapsed.
My Grandpa's death was devastating...
like the loss of a true parent. While crying, I wondered, "How can despair become strength?"
That's when I noticed he spelled "hammer" wrong on his toolbox TWICE due to his lack of formal education. Yet, he taught himself how to build a pool complete with a filtration system, among other contraptions.
With no prior plans, I began learning how to paint in honor of his curiosity.
At the time, I was studying Human Biology, intending to become a doctor. Art became my hobby to see how things unravel.
For five years...
I woke up at 5:00 AM to paint before work despite selling nothing. Six cups of coffee each morning wasn't enough to eliminate fatigue. Moreover, it was frustrating because I had grand ideas and no skills to draw.
I destroyed my work and hid botched paintings in the closet for three years! Being excluded by almost 100 galleries reinforced feelings of failure.
Yet, I sensed painting would lead to spectacular places. What helped me persist was knowing small steps make significant changes.
I went from hiding my work in the closet to having over 25,000 people see my public art daily!
Inventing novel ideas requires uncommon perspectives.
For example, I declined a stable job in Alzheimer's research to paint amid the pandemic as artists received emergency grants.
COVID-19 disruptions were an incredible opportunity to test mental strength because success during this period marks an ability to overcome future crises.
When I started making murals, my dad said, "you went to college, and now you're painting walls!?" My mom exclaimed, "get a job!" without realizing this was a job.
Overcoming internal doubts and the limiting thoughts of others is self-belief.
