‘When I returned to New York, I had a strange twitch in my fingers that wouldn’t go away.’

Elmont

“I journeyed to Sedona, Arizona, to find myself. I decided to visit there after I visited a yoga studio that had these amazing sparkling red rocks on their walls that called to me. When I asked the instructors where the rocks came from, they gave me a book called ‘A Call to Sedona.’ I knew Sedona had a message for me and I had to go there. I had such a unique experience. I sat down in front of a twisted juniper tree on Bell Rock and began praying to God, asking to reveal my purpose. I closed my eyes and meditated and was immediately engulfed in an active vortex. I could see nothing outside of the vortex; it was just me and the juniper tree. I felt scared, but that fear turned into a surreal calm.

I hope to expand my business to continue to beautify the world with art.

“When I opened my eyes, after the vortex ended, I stood up and silently continued to hike. I had a broken toe, but I felt no pain while I was on the rock. Once I made it to the top, I meditated again, and when I opened my eyes, I saw a heart-shaped cloud, the only one in the sky. Upon my descent down the hill, I felt something tell me to stop walking, step backwards and look down. I saw a heart-shaped red rock with crystals growing on it. When I returned to New York, I had a strange twitch in my fingers that wouldn’t go away. It made me feel the urge to paint. I got supplies at Michael’s, and my life was never the same.

“I quit my job and decided to dedicate myself to art full time. These were the messages that led me to start Authentic Heartwork in 2014. I answered that call and self-funded my journey. It was tough and I struggled, but Long Island libraries helped me a lot. I started doing painting classes, and this helped me to develop my skills and build connections. We are currently a vendor with the New York City Department of Education and create murals on school grounds in the Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens. My team and I have also created murals in New Jersey, Connecticut and Massachusetts. We just recently incorporated glitter and glow-in-the-dark paint in one of our murals at the MS 129 school located in the Bronx. Being a professional artist is very rewarding. I hope to expand my business to continue to beautify the world with art.”

Interviewed by Meagan Meehan