CELEBRATING
THE ART OF WATERCOLOR
AND INK

Born in New Jersey in 1994, I spent most summers and winters with family in Hawai’i before making a permanent move to the islands in 2008. I attended Punahou School, where I fell in love with Polynesian culture—especially the bold, intricate beauty of Hawaiian and Samoan tattoo designs. Whether found in textiles, woven plants, or inked skin, these patterns sparked a lifelong fascination with Polynesian art and its deep cultural roots.
 
Throughout high school, college, and graduate school, I was never far from a new, creative idea. Tribal designs filled the margins of my notebooks, and instead of hanging posters in my dorm room, I created my own artwork to remind me of home. Wherever I went, drawing became a constant companion—an instinctive way to express inspiration and curiosity. 
 
As I later pursued a career as an attorney, creative expression took a backseat to the demands of my profession. Then, in 2021, everything changed. At 26 years old, I was diagnosed with brain cancer and underwent emergency surgery—forcing me to face the physical, emotional, and spiritual challenges of relearning how to walk, talk, write, see, think, and function in ways I’d unconsciously functioned for years. In that period of recovery, I returned to my first love: art.
 
What began as a way to pass the time, soon became something far more meaningful. Art became my therapy—a way to process, heal, and reconnect with my sense of self. Each piece I create carries the weight of my experiences. Through every line and pattern, I express not only my vulnerability, but my deep respect for the cultural traditions that first inspired me. 
 
Today, art is a central part of my healing journey and identity. My work is a testament to strength, transformation, and the beauty of rediscovery.