Inspiration for the piece:

My inspiration for this piece is all the hurt and trials I have gone through.

What role does art play in your life?

Art is my way out of my head for awhile. It puts me in a different place. What inspires me is pain, happiness, darkness , tough times, good times, light and dark.

Artist statement:

If my heart could speak this painting shows what it would say: "Stuck." I feel like I'm always being pulled this way and the other, being forced or made to do things I do not want to do. Still stuck. The strings represent other people, the government , my own mind. Can't get anywhere walking in place. Stuck. Having no choice on what to do or how to live. The eyes are people or dark beings lurking, not helping but staring and judging, hoping for failure. The doll represents my heart- beat up, sewn up, fixed up, ripped, torn, put back together. Rough shape but still hope and strength push on.