My father calls me Forest Gump. Like Forest Gump, I have been told by doctors and school physiologist alike that I am not “smart enough” to reach my life long goals. I have refused to listen, not just because I have an auditory processing disability (I really do have this disability), but because I knew they were wrong. I could be someone spectacular. Thus, I’ve persevered; I’ve worked; I’ve sweated; I’ve overcome my fears. I am the first in my family to earn a four-year degree. Despite my learning disabilities, I’ve done well in college. I’ve developed a unique style of art, one that I feel is not only aesthetically pleasing, but speaks volumes as to the beauty and complexity of life, speaks in a way that I can not speak with my voice. I began my adventures in art when I was a young child. First, I drew rockets, astronauts, and cartoons. Now, I explore my inner soul and seek peace as I fragment beautiful objects into multiple three-dimensional-like shapes. My style of art is a form of fractionalism. I try to make each of my subjects appear like a stain glass image. To some, this style is “ugly”, “too confined”, and “too harsh”. To others, it is breathtaking. I use bright, vivid, contrasting colors to define nature and humanity. I draw and paint life. Sometimes this life is a simple landscape. Often this life is animal or human. I frequently draw or paint scenes from my religions background- Adam and Eve, Moses, and many others that are my spiritual heroes. I want to give people hope, to tell them that the world is not so terrible. We are blessed. 9-11 and other tragedies suck that hope away. I try to put it back. I avoid disturbing images that depress. Life can be happy; it can be so good. My art and my life testify of goodness. At least, I try to make them testify of goodness.