Q: Where do you find inspiration from? 

A: I gather a lot of inspiration from my anxiety and my mental health. I have always been an anxious person, even as a small child, and I have found a way to channel my anxiety through drawing. When I grow increasingly anxious about certain scenarios, I like to draw them out. Being able to visualize my fears helps me to overcome them. 

Q: What was your inspiration for this particular piece?

A: My inspirations for this piece came from a local house in my neighborhood that was decorated for Halloween. On top of their house, they had this giant tarantula sitting on the roof. When I decided to create a portfolio surrounded by fears and phobias, I knew that I needed to create a piece surrounding arachnophobia. I used my neighbor's Halloween decorations as inspiration for the spider in the artwork. 

Q: What is your creative process?

A: My creative process typically starts with a doodle. I have a very small sketchbook that is filled with all sorts of doodles and sketches. I like to go wherever my pencil takes me, and I just go with the flow. I try not to be too technical when I'm doodling, allowing my mind to scatter often takes me in the most creative direction. 

Q: Is there a story your piece is trying to tell? If so, what is it?

The story of Arachnophobia tells viewers that anxiety and phobias are very real. Phobias are more than screaming at the sight of a spider. Phobias cause our minds to visualize scenarios that are not actually occurring. I wanted to show that arachnophobia can feel like the eight-legged creature climbing out of your mouth. 

Q: What does art mean to you?

Art allows me to be myself, I would lack a complete sense of identity without my art. When I am anxious, I make art. When I am depressed, I make art. When I am overjoyed, I make art. When I am overwhelmed, I make art. It allows me to express and find new meanings in life without the use of words or sound.