Inspiration for the piece:

My inspiration happened 4 years ago and I didn't even know it until someone else said it, and made an impact. I hope this will heal whatever hurts that I have.

What role does art play in your life?

Artist Anthony Papa said it. best, "I painted myself out of a prison cell." Even though he meant it literally it works the same figuratively. Doing anything about art is one of my escape hatches. It gives me mental freedom.

Artist statement:

There are too many definitions and interpretations for the word forgiveness. The dictionary defines forgiveness as 1) an act to excuse for a fault or an offense; pardon 2) to renounce anger or resentment against 3) to absolve from payment of a debt 4) to accord forgiveness. My interpretation for forgiveness is that when you forgive someone it's to renounce the past in one stroke. When you forgive and won't forget, it's like putting on a mask, beautiful on the outside but painful on the inside. Sometimes asking for forgiveness can be difficult. We are afraid that others will judge and see the ugliness in us but surrendering can be the most powerful action you can take. Because when it comes to making big changes in life, we have to let go of what we are, so we become what we might be. The "elephant in the room" is the DOC card, a symbol of our deeply flawed broken system. A system that was established to give all of us a fair solution to our problems yet it only provides real solutions to a few.