I loved art as a child, but once I discovered computer programming at 15, I dismissed my artistic interest as nothing more than a hobby. In 2015, my daughter began showing interest in (and aptitude for) art, and I was inspired to revisit my childhood hobby. At first, my drawings were merely for fun and to encourage my daughter – but I quickly realized that this creative outlet was something I desperately needed. I felt a strong need to create something unrelated to my profession -- while I still enjoy software development, it is not something that is easily shared with others. I longed to create something that I could share with others

For most of my life, I have been wrapped up in my logical, analytical left brain, and my mental health has suffered as a result.

As I re-explored the possibilities of art, I began to shape my work around the needs of my mind. Instead of starting with a desired goal -- something I do every day at work -- I did the least amount of planning possible. I started each piece with only the barest idea -- perhaps a few circles traced in pencil. I chose media that were easy to pick up and use without excessive prep time and cleanup. I stayed with relatively small sizes so that I could complete each piece without becoming tired or anxious. I gravitated toward an abstract style partly because I enjoyed it, and partly because it reduced any pressure to look like something recognizable.