Some of the things I've drawn, painted, or sculpted - including doodles on scrap paper, past assignments, etc.

Art is near and dear to me in a way that's hard to explain. For the longest time, it wasn't just something I did, it was my entire identity. Whether my work was ever 'good enough' to justify that, I don't know, but it was something I devoted myself to completely while growing up.

I've had many dreams over the years, so many creative paths I wanted to pursue. I feel most alive when I'm making something. But for various reasons, during the second semester of my sophomore year, I realized how difficult that path would be for an international student like me. I dropped my art major to pursue computer science instead. I still left with an art minor, but it's not the same.

Lately, I've been going through something like a grieving process. Grief over a version of myself I had to leave behind, and for watching something I once loved get slowly reclassified as a hobby. That word bothers me more than I can fully articulate. It wasn't a hobby. Most people have no idea what it cost me to walk away, and it stings to hear them talk about it like it was a cute pastime.

Anyway, those are some of the emotions I'm sitting with right now, and I wanted to put them somewhere safe. I hope you enjoy what you see here!