As a child, I was introduced to the world of paint and color mixing by my father, a skilled house painter and faux finisher. At 18, I traveled to Italy to study Venetian plaster, igniting a passion for lime plasters, waxes, and traditional techniques. Over the next 12 years, I honed my craft as a decorative artist and plasterer, returning to Italy four times to deepen my training. During this period, I settled in the 30-A Coastal Corridor of Northwest Florida, where the breathtaking beauty of the coastal environment captivated me. This fascination drew me to the ocean, where I became a surfer, scuba diving instructor, and spearfisher. I surfed atop the waves, explored the depths below, and sought solace in the sea.For years, I believed the ocean was the source of my peace and happiness—a belief that shaped my life but ultimately proved misguided. My time on and beneath the waves was profound, immersive, and formative, but it could not fill the deeper void within me. I spent countless hours in the ocean’s embrace, yet true contentment eluded me. It was only through a transformative relationship with God that I found lasting peace and clarity. My faith became the bedrock of my happiness, replacing the fragile, fleeting solace I once sought in the sea. Living in alignment with God’s purpose for me, with my fears surrendered to Him, has given me the freedom to embrace my gifts and pursue my calling with confidence.Despite this shift, the ocean remains the heart of my art. Having spent so much of my life riding its waves and diving into its depths, I feel a deep connection to its rhythms and mysteries. Those years of intimate engagement with the sea—its colors, movements, and untamed beauty—have earned me the right to paint it. My paintings are not just depictions of the ocean; they are reflections of a journey through its allure and beyond, toward a greater truth. I no longer paint to chase a dream of being an artist, but because I am an artist, called to create by the Creator who has reshaped my life.My path has not been without struggle. For 25 years, I battled addiction and mental illness, which fueled a paralyzing fear of painting fine art. I felt like an imposter, convinced I had nothing authentic to express. In 2008, I completed a series of paintings, but fear kept me from creating again for another 12 years. It was through my faith and recovery that I gained the courage to paint freely, unburdened by self-doubt. Today, my work is an honest expression of my experiences, my connection to the ocean, and my gratitude for the peace I’ve found in God. I paint the ocean not because it defines me, but because it has shaped me—and because, through God’s grace, I am finally free to share the gifts I was born to offer.