Hey, y'all! I'm from Podunk Middle-of-Nowhere, USA. I was drawing before I was writing, and in many ways, I was doing design before I even knew what it was! I started my professional art journey in elementary school, when I decided I would pursue drawing as a serious hobby. I started getting into digital art and photo editing in middle school when my parents purchased me a laptop and a tablet for Christmas (they've always been pretty supportive of my art). Photoshop Elements, DeviantArt, and Quizilla/Fanfiction.net fueled my passion for making art and posting my writing—two skills that have proven to be invaluable in my professional career. I studied Graphic Design in college because I knew a few people who did it, and it seemed cool. And they weren't "starving artists." Made my parents feel better. While I would just prefer drawing on my iPad all day, I do enjoy design, and it's given me tools that have improved my art enormously. As far as gaming goes, I am a late bloomer. My mom thought video games would rot my brain (she wasn't TOTALLY wrong), but I finally wore her down and purchased a Gamecube with my birthday money one year. Lo and behold...I didn't turn into a violent zombie! In fact, I was talking to her about the stories and characters I encountered and showing her all the concept art and environment designs. My parents finally relented...and purchased me a Wii a few Christmases later! It's been a love affair since. Gaming is something that brings me solace when the rest of the world seems to be too much. It's helped me build relationships and community. And that is why I'm wanting to make the industry pivot and use my existing skillset to support and elevate the gaming industry!