This is my therapist’s dog, Roody. I came across him when looking for a new therapist about a year ago, and while I love my therapist, I also chose her as my care provider because of Roody. He has been a primary reason for why I continue to attend therapy and acts as a motivator and something to look forward to every week. In general, this image could be described as a “comfort image” as Roody acts as a means of reassurance. In relation to art, my mental health is a large factor in determining how I create my art, if at all. During darker times in my life, I could hardly bring myself to be creative. Therapy, as well as Roody, have been able to pull me out of that negative lifestyle and gives me the ability to properly make art again. If I ever find myself in a situation where my mental health declines, it is pivotal for me to have comfort and grounding in order to bring myself back up. While visually, Roody hasn’t affected my art style, he still has an influence on my artistic journey.

This is a tattoo I got when I turned eighteen. The tattoo itself isn’t what affects my artistic progress, but the image and what it represents do. This tattoo is of a heart that my mom drew. The story originates from my childhood, as when I was young, my mom drew hearts on my hand in situations I was anxious or upset. She called it a “kissing hand” and said that whenever I was alone, she would be there through the heart. As another source of support, my mom has acted as a source of growth in my artistic journey. She has always encouraged my interest in art, whether it was a simple childhood drawing or agreeing to my attendance at MCAD. She gives me critiques, listens to my artistic rants, and provides new ideas I would have never thought of. Without her, I would have never become an artist and be in the situation I’m in today.