https://www.instagram.com/p/Bxi3TA7jcfVkjy49TyWzVjKaOjZBf9tEHUnMi40/?igshid=1gqu9vt5wo9ae

My isolation led me both to freedom and distress. During my freshman year in high school I hit a low point in my life as I felt isolated from friends and family. It’s that transition from middle school to high school where you don’t quite fit in anywhere and everything is new but everyone else seems to have a group except for me.

At home, the relationship between me and my brother got to the point of me creating my own space /room in the basement. Finally, when my father and I got into a big fight, I made a decision that would alter my future forever.

This piece is about that decision.

I chose to take my life by taking pills that weren’t mine(I have a congenital heart issue). I grew up going to church and for me, my faith was always my priority. Yet here I was, crying to sleep, assuming it would be my last night on earth. I prayed wholeheartedly that night, cried, and though the experience was painful, I sincerely felt I spoke with God. My life was not taken but I absolutely felt like God granted me a second chance at life. Though I had isolated myself, I was never truly alone. It may have taken that experience to get me there, but I do believe as JFK once said, “no man in an island unto themselves.”

This is my personal story and work and I cross my fingers that it’ll make a dent in that Jazza competition. My students got me into draw with Jazza and I have to say, I was re inspired to get back into art! This is actually my first try at alcohol based markers to hope it does well! The jazzy art box is just amazing! Wish me luck, much love and aloha!