In late Spring of 2016, I was a crew member at Forage Market, located on Lisbon st in Lewiston. During my time working at Forage, I dabbled with art to promote visual sales and developed confidence in showing my passion.  We were informed that the sidewalk on Lisbon Street was being repaired. The city of Lewiston let artists paint on the sidewalk. There were random painted white squares for each business to paint and I was asked if I was interested. Of course!!! The white square was located at the left side corner of Ash Street and Lisbon Street. I was inspired by the book Alluring Lettuces by Jack Staub and decided to paint a beet with a woman opening her arms with acceptance. Instead of the figure facing right as if its looking forward, I decided to face them left, looking into the past- "Let the Beet of your heart embrace the past". My life was changing rapidly and I was ready to take on the world by accepting who I am. About a month later, in June, I left Forage to work in Augusta to support Clients who are Deaf. I used American Sign Language to teach clients how to communicate in the hearing world. I was born hard of hearing but I take pride the deaf culture as well. About a year later, Melanie Therrien of Wicked Illustration posted on Facebook that she was looking for artists to paint on the sidewalk for Earth Day. She posted some pictures of last year's event and there it was! A picture of me painting the woman and the beet. I emailed her and said that "this is the first time I have seen a picture of me painting that day". Melanie was thrilled and asked if I was interested again, and of course...yes!! I was given a spot in the middle between Sheri Hollenbeck's and Melanie Therrien's, across the street from Rainbow Bicycle. The painting I did was an eye as the sun over looking the mountain called "Warm Solitary". The painting was inspired after starting a new job in Augusta and starting spending alone outdoors exploring. So this was what I needed to confront the hard truth about myself. I decided to transition living as male. I have continued to paint and post often on Facebook. Sheri Hollenbeck, Melanie Therrien, and Grayling Cunningham have encouraged me to start pushing for my art.  So I am quietly honored to be sharing my experiences with you.