My work draws deeply from personal narratives; most notably my time in Cusco, Peru where I volunteered in early childhood education in 2015. I was profoundly moved by the resilience of the Indigenous people as they navigated daily hardships. Despite limited resources, they infused their homes with warmth, beauty, hope and a spirit of perseverance. Through my series of paintings, I seek to honor and express the emotional richness and strength of the people I encountered there.