Growing up in Detroit was far from a fairytale, but it was my reality. The city's challenges made me scrappy, resourceful, and determined to seek out joy. My creativity blossomed from making do with what we had - a skill that still serves me. Detroit had its flaws, but it shaped who I am. And for that, I wouldn't trade my Motor City upbringing.

As sirens wailed and tires screeched outside, I escaped into my own worlds. Growing up with four brothers, I often retreated to a quiet corner, pencils, and notebook in hand. For hours, I'd bring to life the fairies, mystical creatures, and
magic lamps that filled my imagination. Music was another refuge, thanks to being down the street from Motown Records. I'd belt out Diana Ross and dance like James Brown, the soulful melodies carrying me to a place of pure emotion.

Later in life, I was blindsided by a breast cancer diagnosis. The news hit me like a ton of bricks, unleashing a whirlwind of emotions - fear, anger, and sadness. My poor husband remained patient and caring through it all, including when they almost lost me, as did the compassionate doctors and nurses who comforted me during the long, sleepless days of treatment.

After staring at mortality in the face, my priorities crystallized. Life's simple pleasures shone brighter, and I saw time as a gift to be treasured, not wasted. The darkness of my cancer brought light - the light of gratitude, connection, and presence. I emerged, transformed.

One Christmas, my husband gifted me a top-of-the-line digital camera that left me stunned and intimidated. Though he grinned excitedly, I could only stare at the complex device, overwhelmed by its many buttons and the thick instruction manual. For a year, the high-tech gadget gathered dust on my shelf before I finally mustered the courage to open the box.

I had just taken a buyout from my soul-crushing corporate job, perfect timing really. No more fluorescent lighting and monotone meetings for me! Turning the camera over in my hands, I saw this as my chance to reinvent myself. Cancer, my ugly duckling, forced me to grow, shaking up my priorities and showing me what truly mattered. My mess became my masterpiece.

As I got the hang of my camera, my photos started telling stories and conveying emotions. That's when it clicked - my camera and I would capture stories through art. It was a magical transformation that completely changed my life.

From the ashes of that experience, a new passion ignited within me. Like an old piece of junk transformed into art, I found my calling: rescuing forgotten relics and reviving them through my work. A splash of paint here, a prop there, and my creative juices start flowing as I invent quirky scenes and whimsical narratives around each new treasure. I let my imagination run wild, dreaming up ways to highlight the beauty in these discarded gems.

The challenges I once faced now fuel my incredible journey of growth and self-discovery. I'm barely recognizable to my former self. You never know what you're capable of until life puts you to the test. I uncovered hidden reserves of strength and created beauty from adversity. An immensely powerful transformation.

My art aims to spark that feeling in you too - to help you discover the extraordinary in the ordinary. Like a caterpillar's transformation into a butterfly, it reminds us that even in life's darkest moments, beauty and joy can emerge if we have faith and persevere. Anything is possible if you believe in yourself.