...autism that I didn’t know about.

When I was young, my autism wasn’t diagnosed. I was placed in special education programs that were underfunded and more focused on getting kids through the system than understanding who they were. It was a different time.

So I grew up with a lot of confusion about myself and why I experienced the world differently. It wasn’t until adulthood, when I finally went to therapy, that I received my autism diagnosis. This is when my life started in earnest.

And suddenly, a lot of things began to make sense; My life and my world started to feel more focused, clear, and happy. And after a career in advertising that wasn’t the right fit, I began reconnecting with my art. My relationship with myself and others began to flourish, and I found a path toward teaching where I could help others tap into their own creativity and expression. I finally felt purpose.

Today, my teaching is rooted in my journey: exploring art as a way to think freely, let go of control, get away from conformity, and discover what is possible when we give ourselves permission to be free.