Growing up, art was my outlet. Throughout my young life, that spark of passion became an unyielding pursuit. When I was 15, I started painting. I was drawn to the idea of painting someone in their most natural state, whatever that looked like. This concept eventually led me to the painting of my favorite portrait. When it was almost complete, I noticed that there was a reflection of a car in my subject’s eyes. I liked the look of the reflection, but the car felt man-made. I got an idea to replace the reflection with a silhouette of Jesus, although I had not thought about Jesus much before. As I painted, I noticed an external spirit, or feeling within me, guiding my paint strokes. I didn't have words to explain it. I became infatuated with this feeling, and my painting elevated to a skill level that I knew was beyond my ability.

This feeling, however, was short-lived and I quickly moved on with my life. My time with Jesus became a distant memory and I fell deeply. Since birth I have battled a range of health problems. Death was close and my life and art grew dark and lifeless. After spiraling into addiction and depression, I began to search for something more. Diving into the psychedelic world, my art showcased a newfound spiritual journey, and for years I created paintings that illustrated my experiences on drugs, and highlighted new age and eastern philosophy, alongside the darkness growing within me.

In my love for reading spiritual books, I eventually became curious about the Bible. I was hesitant, as I had heard that the Bible was not a spiritual path, but a list of pointless do’s and don’ts. But as I read, I was inspired to talk to God just as I regularly meditated, which I had found tangible power in. When I began to talk to God as a person, the power I found in him made my years of meditation feel like childsplay. The way God spoke to me was more personal and powerful than any relationship I had ever been in. I had always assumed prayer was talking to God, but never did I expect to talk with God.

It wasn't long before he became my best friend. And the more I read about him in the Bible, the deeper I fell in love with him. The other spiritual practices in my life naturally fell away when I was with him. They just didn't compare. My depression fell away. My addictions fell away. He was so good they stopped mattering next to his greatness. Soon, every suffering I was experiencing and all of my health issues were nothing next to him.

I have always used my art to express things that were difficult for me to put into words. My pain became my art, which highlighted the depth of darkness I was experiencing. But now victory has become my art, illustrating the light I’ve found. Looking back, I see that the feeling I first experienced when I was 15, one of the most beautiful things I’ve ever felt, is now the only way I paint, yielding to God through me.