The biggest influences in my life have been my grandparents. I spent most of my childhood and adolescence with them in Ecuador, and I consider them the pillars who shaped the person I am today. They taught me values that continue to guide my life and my art: hard work, resilience, gratitude, family, resourcefulness, and respect for the stories of others. My grandfather was a farmer, and through him I developed a deep appreciation for nature, agriculture, and the labor behind the food we have on our tables. I learned that something as simple as a fruit, a vegetable, or a meal can represent hours of physical work, dedication, and care. My grandmothers taught me about family and the value of money through our everyday life. One would often shop at the small store around the corner for what we needed that day, while the other would make larger grocery trips to fill the refrigerator for several weeks. Growing up this way taught me to understand the difference between necessities and things we simply wanted, and to appreciate what we had. These experiences have deeply influenced my artistic practice. As a painter, I am interested in landscapes, food, everyday life, and especially hands of labor. I want to show what exists behind ordinary images: the person who grew the food, the family who prepared it, the landscape that holds a memory, or the hands that have spent years working. My art is a way of preserving these stories while celebrating my Ecuadorian heritage. After I graduate, I want to use my artistic skills in ways that extend beyond creating paintings for a gallery. I am interested in exploring art therapy and how creative expression can help people communicate memories, emotions, identity, and experiences that may sometimes be difficult to express through words. I want to find innovative ways for people to interact with art and use creativity as a tool for reflection, connection, and self-expression. What makes my artistic gift different is the personal perspective behind the way I see the world. I do not simply paint what I see; I paint what I remember, what I value, and what I believe deserves to be remembered. My Ecuadorian background gives me a perspective shaped by family, food, agriculture, cultural traditions, and everyday experiences. I transform those experiences into visual stories that can connect with people who may have completely different backgrounds. As a first-generation student in the United States pursuing my MFA in Painting, I also want my journey to demonstrate that our backgrounds do not have to limit our possibilities. My grandparents gave me the foundation, and art has given me a way to carry their lessons forward. Ultimately, I want my work to preserve culture, honor labor, and create opportunities for people to connect with their own memories and stories. I believe innovation is not only about creating something completely new, but about finding meaningful new ways to use art to communicate, connect, and make people feel seen.