“Lost” Chosen from 10,000: My Journey to Embracing Our Difference

I’m thrilled to share that my artwork, “Lost,” was selected for the 2025 Embracing Our Differences international exhibition—an honor I hold close to my heart.

Out of more than 10,000 submissions from artists around the world, my piece was one of only 50 chosen for display across multiple cities in Florida, including Sarasota and St. Petersburg. To be included in this impactful public art initiative is not only humbling—it feels like a full-circle moment as both a veteran and an artist.

“Lost” is a visual meditation on grief, memory, and the quiet sacrifices made by those who serve—and by those left behind. The central figure cradling a folded flag reflects a personal and collective sense of mourning, set against a backdrop of fragmented camouflage and faded symbols. It was created as a tribute, a reflection, and a reminder.

Seeing the work printed large, surrounded by other powerful messages of inclusion and diversity, was emotional. Even more so was witnessing strangers pause to absorb the piece, to feel something, or perhaps to remember someone. That’s the magic of public art—it invites everyone in.

I’m grateful to Embracing Our Differences for their commitment to using art as a tool for empathy and change. I’m also grateful for every experience, painful and joyful, that led to the creation of this piece.

This opportunity fuels my mission to create work that speaks to complex identities—disability, veteranhood, resilience—and transforms those stories into visual experiences that others can connect with.

Thank you to everyone who continues to support my journey. If you’re near Sarasota or St. Pete through early April 2025, I hope you’ll stop by the exhibit and let the art speak to you.