“Art is my access to sanity; it is everything to me. For years I have studied art history and all kinds of art forms. For example, I have read a lot about Van Gogh and the Room at the Arles. I learned about Felix Vallotton’s Reclaiming Nude on Red Carpet. Learned about the Alfred Sisley’s View at the Canal Saint-Martin. Learning, Paris and all of Gaya’s work. All of the above-mentioned painters expressed moments of their lives in their work. Growing up the color blue was my favorite and bright colors like pink and florescent green were colors I did not like. In prison I never get to see those other colors and all I want to see are colors like that. Now when I paint, I make sure to add all the colors I can’t see in my real life. Both my knitting and painting have changed because of my trauma’s I have experienced. My artistic expression is my way out of prison and how I find my happiness. Art teaches my to love and helps me deal with my depression.”