My art is rooted in healing. Both of my parents were artists, and their creativity deeply influenced me. I lost my father to a sudden heart attack when I was 19, and years later, my mother passed away from cancer when I was 38 when I was in the middle of raising three children of my own. After their passing, I inherited much of their artwork, personal collections, and even items they had hoarded over the years. Facing the overwhelming responsibility of sorting through it all, I felt inspired to find a meaningful way to honor them.

I began developing my own brand as a way to resell some of their collections and repurpose less desirable items into beautiful, functional art. I upcycled what I could, and even printed some of their drawings and photographs onto t-shirts and bags—keeping their art alive and in circulation. This process gave me more time and space to grieve, while also inspiring me to explore new techniques and relearn forgotten skills.

Sharing their story has become one of the most rewarding parts of this journey. At markets, I get to tell customers about my parents, and in return, I'm often gifted with stories from their own childhoods—full of nostalgia and warmth. In that way, my work has become a metaphor for retro recycling ♻️: I create, and it gives back. I look forward to seeing how my creations continue to evolve through this process.