Q: How did you get started making art? Is it something you've always wanted to do?

A: Yeah, It’s something I've always wanted to do, but it's also something I've always done. I was very artsy my entire life, starting in high school, and then ever since I started losing my eyesight in, like, 2018, I picked up on it more. It's therapy for me, you know what I mean? So it kind of became a therapeutic adventure, and now I'm here.

 

Q: If you were to describe your art to somebody else, how would you describe it? Or, if you were to encourage someone to go look at your art, what would you say?

A: That’s such a tough question because I never know how to describe it. I always say it’s in between, like, abstract [and] contemporary. I think those two are the biggest descriptive words that I can think of that make sense because otherwise, I don’t know what to classify it as. So I would say contemporary, for the most part. 

 

Q: What is your visual impairment, and when did it begin?

A: My visual impairment is actually from a retinal detachment. It was a very spontaneous retinal detachment, it started back in 2017, just out of nowhere. And, it just sort of progressed from there, there was no rhyme or reason to it. But apparently with retinal detachment, if, you know, one happens in one eye, the other is kind of down to follow, unfortunately, so that’s what's happening now. My right eye is starting to go a little bit, but we’re keeping an eye on it! (Pun intended, haha.) 

 

Q: How has your visual impairment impacted your ability to make art or your experience in the art world? Positives, negatives, anything.

A: So, negatively, I feel like it’s, kind of, obvious. Obviously, it's hard to see a lot of the time. You know, I'm trying to focus really hard on something and it's not doing the thing. But honestly, it’s been more of a positive than a negative. I’ve had a lot of opportunities, interviews with TV and with the news, and it's been an adventure honestly. And, I wouldn't be where I am today without my visual impairment. Which, I feel like is a weird thing to say, because normally, people don't want this to happen, right? Not that I want it to happen, but I wouldn't be who I am today without it if that makes sense. And so it’s definitely brought a lot more positives than negatives, for sure, in my life, and I'm grateful. 

 

Q: So, what empowers you as an artist, especially to keep going?

A: Good question. Honestly, social media is a huge thing for that, ‘cause obviously, you have so, so many talented people on here. Like, I follow a lot of artists on social media, and they're the ones that empower me and give me the opportunity to let myself and my talent, just, grow, you know what I mean? It’s just, something about watching other people do what they do, and how well they do it, is just so inspiring. And so I get a lot of my inspiration from other people. And so I think that has a lot to do with my empowerment, I would say.

 

Q: What message, if any, do you hope to send others with your artwork or what you do?

A: I would say, you can do anything you set your mind to. I mean, shoot, look at me, obviously I have one eye and if I can do it, anybody can. I mean, obviously, there's people out there who have way more things that they're not able to do because of what they're going through. But I feel like the power of the mind is just so powerful, for lack of a better word. That, if you want something, go do it, and you can do it. So I think, that'd be my message.

 

Q: So, how have you navigated losing your sight and continuing to make art, since I’m going to assume that’s a big part of what you do?

A: That’s pretty much all I do. Honestly, you just kind of learn as you go. I mean, it’s not like it comes with a manual. And like, I wish it did sometimes! But a huge part of being visually impaired is just learning as you go. And that's really all I ever do. You make mistakes obviously, that's how you grow, just like with anything in life. So, you just take what the cards have given you and go with it.