Creating art is a means of processing my trauma and ultimately transforming my life. The creative process itself is healing. I’m grateful that the result is something positive, even beautiful, and one that has turned into a therapeutic practice that actively helps me grow and heal through self-expression. My work is inspired by surviving and healing from the emotional abuse and physical and emotional neglect I experienced living with my biological father part time growing up. I started my art journey in July of 2020 as a way to cope from the intrusive thoughts I was experiencing during isolation. The feelings of living with my abuser were amplified during this time and I took to paint-ing as a way to escape my thoughts. As a result, my creative process has turned into a ritual for healing.