Journey To Paris
From Sketchbook Dreams to International Recognition: A 20-Year Journey of Artistic Growth and Persistence
When does passion lead someone to step outside of their comfort zone?
If the journey starts without a plan, is continuing forward worth the risk?
The truth is, no one really knows—until they intentionally decide to challenge themselves.
I’ve always been introverted. At a young age, I found myself drawn to comics and drawing. Taking the time to learn different techniques kept me engaged, to the point where I rarely went anywhere without a sketchbook.
By middle school, I began taking art classes to develop proper techniques and push myself further. The hours I spent practicing outside of school—combined with what I was learning in class—helped build the confidence I needed to expand my skills as a developing artist.
In 8th grade, I won my first art contest, placing third statewide in Louisiana. While that achievement was meaningful, I quickly realized that art classes, though valuable, felt limiting. I wanted to explore more—to learn new techniques and discover different ways to grow.
Painting became a natural extension of my passion for creating. However, learning the fundamentals took time—nearly five to seven years. Hours turned into days, days into months, and months into years of consistent effort. That time and discipline gradually shaped me into a stronger artist.
Through those self-driven years, I built a portfolio that reflected both growth and dedication.
At 25, I participated in my first group exhibition at a small local space called “Main Street Gallery.” It was a new gallery in my area, and I was featured alongside other local artists. That experience boosted my confidence and reinforced my desire to keep creating.
More importantly, it showed me what was possible.
After the exhibition, I returned to my studies and continued practicing.
Two years later, I decided to pursue college to deepen my skills, eventually majoring in graphic design. During the early to mid-2000s, the creative world was rapidly shifting toward digital platforms, and I had to learn how to adapt.
Working with design programs like Adobe in college helped me become more comfortable in that space. The education I received significantly transformed my creative process and how I approached structure in my work.
College taught me structure with purpose. Painting taught me movement and flow.
Balancing school and life wasn’t easy. I worked part-time jobs to support my projects, ideas, and supplies, all while managing personal responsibilities. I stayed consistent in my focus on growth and creativity, even while making space to experience life beyond my work.
In 2013, at 29, I moved to Austin, Texas, where I lived for three years. During that time, I stepped away from creating art seriously. I worked full-time and eventually re-enrolled in graphic design classes to bring structure back into my creative routine.
It was during this period that I realized something important: I was still at the beginning of my creative journey.
By 2018, I was no longer in college, but I began to seriously consider my career path. This phase of my life was defined by pursuing everything I had learned and developed over the years.
I was finally ready to give myself a real chance.
In 2019, I took a major step forward. My work was published for the first time in “Destig Magazine.” That moment marked the beginning of my professional career as an artist.
Being published opened doors I hadn’t imagined. Since then, I’ve had multiple works featured and even released an eBook titled “The Artistic Letters: 20 Years of Artworks From The Frequent Artist.”
My work has been included in group exhibitions around the world, and most recently, my journey has taken me to Paris, France for another exhibition.
That experience reinforced something I’ve come to believe deeply:
Growth happens when you allow it.
And dreams become real when you decide to keep going.
As I continue evolving as an artist, I remain committed to challenging myself and staying open to the decisions ahead.
Because the path isn’t always clear—but the willingness to move forward makes all the difference.
