From the artist:

I began creating art as soon as I could hold a pencil. It has been my life passion and an outlet for me to express and reflect on all of the thoughts and ideas that swirl through my head. After graduating from Grand Island Senior High in 2002, I began taking classes at the University of Nebraska at Kearney as an art major. During this time, I began to experience significant undiagnosed health issues.

Eight years after becoming ill I was finally diagnosed with Lyme’s Disease. By this time the disease had spread throughout my body, causing physical and neurological damage, resulting in a Traumatic Brain Injury to the left hemisphere of my brain. I had lost strength and dexterity in my right hand, had difficulty with large motor skills as well as processing information. I began a long-term regimen of antibiotics. I worked with a physical therapist, speech pathologist and an occupational therapist to relearn cognitive and physical skills. I also used homeopathic remedies and other Eastern healing modalities. I began to meditate and practice Qigong, an ancient Chinese practice of moving energy to heal the body. I spent time in nature, immersed myself in music and once again picked up a pencil and began to create art.

My disease made me think about life and how fragile it is. My study of Qigong and meditation forced me to delve into the metaphysical nature of thoughts and the mind. When sitting in meditation the mind starts to delve into itself and the imagination is flooded with imagery from the subconscious. I use this process of meditation to come up with subject matter for many of the drawings, prints, and paintings that are in my show. My art documents the introspective journey that I took when I lost my health and what I learned about life on my road back to recovery.