I didn’t plan for the pivot. Like so many of us, I was nudged hard by circumstance. When my role in the quick-service industry was made redundant, it felt like the end of something solid. But it was also the opening I didn’t know I’d been waiting for.

I took a breath. Then I picked up a pencil.

Now, I’m a graphic design student at Georgian College, chasing something I didn’t always believe was mine to claim: an artistic path. And I’ve found my footing. In 2024, I was honoured with the John Hart Memorial Scholarship for an abstract portfolio that still feels deeply personal. It was a moment of recognition that said, Yes. You are an artist.

I bring a lot to the drawing table—life experience, resilience, and a relentless curiosity. I don’t just want to learn a new tool or technique; I want to understand the why behind it, to connect the dots, to push a little further. Whether it’s a design program or a piece of visual theory, I dive deep. That drive fuels me.

Outside the studio, life keeps me moving. To support my return to school, I took a summer contract at an automotive parts plant and surprised myself with how quickly I picked things up. That summer job turned into a year-round role—part-time now, but still steady. It’s physically demanding work, and in a way, that’s the gift. It balances the stillness of screen and sketchbook with motion and muscle.

It keeps me grounded, and it keeps me strong enough to keep playing softball year-round—outdoors in the summer, dome ball through the winter. That balance matters. To learn, to grow, to stay curious and creative, I’ve learned that I need both momentum and rest. I’ve got miles to go, to be sure, but I’m finally on the path I was meant to take.