As an enrolled member of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, my artwork is a reflection of movement—whether human or animal. To me, life itself is movement, and I strive to breathe life into each piece I create. Color plays a vital role in my work; my watercolors often explore a muted palette, while my mixed media pieces burst with vibrant hues. Although I have always loved color, it was only recently that I began painting human figures. This new direction felt like divine guidance, starting with my first figure, “He Dances of War,” which sparked a deep connection to Native dances. My focus is primarily on the woodland peoples, drawing from my own history, but I remain fascinated by the dances and traditions of other regions and tribes. Currently, I am researching Cherokee dances and how colonization has impacted these vibrant cultural expressions. I find myself curious about where some of the grand, beautiful movements were lost and aim to bring attention to this through my art. My subject matter arises from both history and inspiration. What draws me to a particular scene is always the presence of movement—even in a stationary figure, I see the brief moment of stillness amid motion. Nature itself is a constant dance of life, and this is a theme I return to time and time again. The history of our Native peoples, the natural world, and the spirit of our four-legged relatives all serve as wellsprings of inspiration. My technique is distinctive because my subjects often fall outside traditional landscapes or portraiture. Instead, nearly all my work—95% of it—is focused on capturing the fluidity and dynamism of movement, which I believe makes my art uniquely alive and resonant. Through color, form, and rhythm, I seek to evoke the living spirit that animates culture, history, and the natural world.