My passion for art took root in high school and grew during college, where I studied painting with genuine enthusiasm. But as graduation approached, I chose a more pragmatic path—architecture—worried that a fine arts career might not offer the stability I needed. At first, architecture seemed like a good compromise between creativity and practicality. But over time, as clients took on more of the creative direction, I found myself drifting away from hands-on design. I moved into corporate leadership roles for more influence, yet ironically, the further I advanced, the further I got from the creative work I loved.

Still, art never disappeared completely. I found small ways to keep it alive—making holiday cards, sketching on my iPad, and experimenting with digital painting apps. A few years ago, I stumbled across a simple AI tool that transformed phone photos into abstract images. It was a small discovery, but it sparked a larger fascination: what if I combined traditional methods with the growing capabilities of digital media?

In April 2024, I made the decision to pursue that question more intentionally. I wanted to reconnect with the sense of joy I had felt as a student and see where digital tools might take me. I approached it like cooking without a recipe—improvising with ingredients I had on hand, trusting my instincts, and learning by doing.

I began layering textures, sketches, and AI-generated elements to build complex digital collages. Over time, my work shifted toward a more painterly feel, bringing in the traditional techniques I once studied, but now filtered through the lens of digital experimentation. The goal isn’t just to make something visually interesting—it’s to create a spark that invites viewers to imagine a story, a mood, or a fleeting sense of recognition.

This journey has had its challenges, but it’s also been deeply rewarding. It’s reminded me of the value of creative exploration and reawakened a kind of curiosity I hadn’t felt in years.