I’m a self taught disabled award winning artist and illustrator and now an inspirational artist who has defeated death many times. My story is about all my hardships and miracles through faith. I was born with a rare genetic disorder called Elhers Danlos Syndrome kyphoscoliosis type, diagnosed in 2015. I’m truly a walking miracle. I have 26 screws and two rod’s holding my spine. I survived two pulmonary embolisms. I also struggle with learning disabilities.  I began my art journey in 2015 at the age of 40.

 

I began drawing realistic drawings from photo creating a photorealistic style.  I was inspired to become an artist by child prodigy Akiane Kramarik who started painting at the age of four. She painted what has become one of the most recognized image of Jesus at the age of eight “The Prince of Peace”. I discovered her when I watched the movie Heaven is for real in 2014. Her spiritual story and the image of Jesus truly woke up the artist in me. I began discovering my true potential and made peace with God. Akiane Kramarik's life story and the Prince of Peace painting led me to the beginning of a profound spiritual awakening. On February of 2023 one of my biggest dreams came true and I was able to meet Akiane Kramarik and also view the Prince of Peace at the Beloved Gallery.

 

I enjoy depicting everything that I find beautiful such as people, children, pets, wildlife, landscapes, nature, still lives and botanicals. I don’t enjoy depicting everything I went through. I want people to feel peace and happiness when they look at my work not pain. I want my work to shed light in the world not darknes. My inability to ever have children due to my condition, inspires me to depict them. 

 

I enjoy many different mediums such as pastels, graphite charcoal gouache watercolors acrylics and oils. My medium of choice is pastels. I was inspired to try pastels in 2019 by Richard Macwee who I  discovered on social media in 2018. He is an incredibly gifted wildlife artist based in Scotland. Since I started my art journey in 2015 I’ve created over 140 worth of art.                           

 

I began exhibiting my art work in local  galleries and online in 2017. My work has been accepted in over 400 exhibits local and online international exhibits and I have received 368 awards. My works has been featured in 15 magazines. You can view my awards on my webpage.

 

I feel God has kept me alive for so many reasons but the main reason is so I can share my miraculous story with the world to inspire others and give them a renewed sense of hope. Hopefully I can inspire others to pick up a brush and start drawing and painting. You can read my full story on my website.

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