I have always considered myself an artist. Growing up, I was known as the “art kid”; the kid everyone would look at when the teacher said there would be a drawing component, the family member you would turn to when someone wanted a card made, or a tattoo design, or even decoration for a party. I was always drawn towards the arts, despite neither of my parents or siblings being necessarily interested in it. I like to think I got the drive for creativity from my grandmother, who has been doing an array of different art all her life, from drawing, to screenprinting, to quiltmaking. It was just something that came natural to me.

I was always inspired by the media I consumed. I often would draw characters from books I read, using my imagination and skills to bring the worlds I read about to life. In high school, I constantly sketched during class, and when I got home I would spend hours throughout the night working on a digital piece. Through the art I made, I created strong connections to people around me, online and in person.

When I originally came to San Jose State University, I was undeclared, and had no intention of being an art major. I was afraid that joining the art program would make my passion feel like more of a chore. So despite encouragement from my dad to pursue an art degree, I stayed undeclared for my first two years, just focusing on my general education classes and exploring what SJSU had to offer. Eventually, I made friends with an art major, and slowly I would begin to enroll in a few drawing classes. During one of those classes, a guest speaker came to talk about a study abroad program she offered in the summertime. Irene Carvajal told my class about her Colors of Costa Rica program, a 3 week summer session which explores sustainable practices within art, specifically print. The combination of natural exploration and art intrigued me, so I decided to take the chance, leave my comfort zone, and try something new. The group I was in consisted entirely of art majors, all except me. That experience was eye opening, and demonstrated how art is not just the act of creation, but a community that supports and inspires your creative endeavors. Upon many conversations with my fellow travelers, I finally made the decision to join San Jose State's art program, one of the best decisions I have made.

I was blown away by SJSU's art program, which explored so many art forms and opportunities. I began my spatial art journey with ceramics, immediately drawn towards the ability of physically sculpting and forming my art with my hands. Sculpture made my art feel more real, and left a larger impact on me as opposed to pictorial. I had heard about SJSU's glass program a few times. When I first visited the ceramic tent sale, before I was an art major, I saw the sign directing towards the tent saying “Glass and Ceramic sale”, and I was surprised when I saw no glass. Later on, I learned from a friend on the study abroad trip about SJSU's hotshop. Glass has always interested me. As a kid I visited the glass pumpkin patches with my mom, and stained glass was always so beautiful to look at. Never once growing up did I think I would become a glass artist, however I have found the medium to be very addicting. I have taken a glass class every semester since Spring of 2023, and I currently work at the Bay Area Glass Institute, training to be an instructor. While I am unsure of what the future holds for me, I am grateful to be a part of an amazing art community that teaches me patience, quick thinking, collaboration, and so much more.

It was inevitable that I would be an art major; I am so drawn towards the arts, and being able to explore the different mediums SJSU offers, and being a part of such a powerful art community, was too amazing to resist. I was born to be an artist, and with the help of the amazing professors at SJSU, as well as nurturing my drive for artmaking, I hope I can continue to create some incredible things.

I am a spatial artist from the Bay Area who has been drawn to create art since I was young. I got my Bachelors of Fine Arts from San Jose State University, where I explored a multitude of different mediums until I fell in love with glass blowing.