My story starts with a pencil sketch of a wooden barn when I was 9 years old…

I can remember the pencil smudges on my fingers from shading the side of the barn, the scent of pencil sharpeners, being the tallest girl in class and my feet almost touching the floor while I sketched.

The special teacher for the day was an artist who taught my class how to draw and shade tiny little barns in pencil.

It was the first art lesson of my life and I loved everything about it.

That entire year, I’d draw tiny barns all over the right margins of my homework and tests, hoping someone would notice.

One day my 5th grade substitute teacher took notice and commented on my drawings - I was so excited!

You might be thinking this is when I decided to share my artwork with the world.

And that would make a lot of sense…but that’s not my story.

This moment in elementary school was when I realized I loved everything about art…and then let it go.

Why?

I didn’t believe I could show up as the truest version of myself and be accepted.

Art, to me, has always been profoundly personal. My paintings are the truest expression of who I am as a person.

It’s the most vulnerable thing I could share with another human being.

So, I turned away from art and pursued a medical career - this time, doing medical sketches in the corners of my notes in graduate school. A slight upgrade from a wooden barn - but something I hid in the margins nonetheless.

I slowly started sharing my anatomical artwork more on social media, which gained some attention.

This, plus a lot of self-growth, gave me the courage to start sharing the art I’ve kept hidden until now.

To no longer hide my artwork in the margins of my life.

My paintings are all inspired by dreams, memories, lessons and moments in my life.

You can find my artwork (and my vulnerability) here.

Thank you for being here,

Chelsea