The Humble Portrait - Virginia
“What would you do differently if you knew that no one was judging you? ” “I’d be more open and relaxed. I wouldn’t worry anymore about what people say or think of me.” “Do you worry that people judge you? ” “Yea” “How often is the thought of being judged on your mind when interacting with people?” “About ninety percent of the time of the time”
"I run because there’s nothing more beautiful than experiencing God’s creation while running a 50mile race or any ultra marathon distance. Secondly, I run because I love the whole atmosphere of the ultra running community. The ultra running community has a very nonchalant type of atmosphere and everyone seems to have a good time while suffering through the race."
"We had a really great relationship until I was 5 years old. Then he wasn’t in the picture anymore. I went through this weird phase without a father. I had father figures like uncles and my older brother, but I never really had an actual father. I thought I could use everyone else’s dad as an example, but I still had a void for fatherly love and discipline. When I got older, I reached out to my father and discovered he was actually an amazing person. The most astonishing part was discovering him for who he actually is and not by what others made him out to be. I got to know him and he actually ended being someone I really enjoyed talking to and someone I could give my whole heart to. I saw him last year in the Dominican Republic for the first time and he was just as great as I thought he would be."
"My favorite childhood memory took place when I was seven years old. As a young boy and a first born, my greatest aspiration was to please my dad. He was the head coach of my wrestling team and I was facing my first wrestling match. Within ten seconds, the mat was slapped! I had pinned my opponent, won the match, and gained my dad's approval."
"What do you think are the biggest challenges women face today?" " I think there are so many challenges faced by women that it would be ludicrous to name only one. First-world women struggle with being paid equally for equal work, being objectified and not taken seriously as an equal, and worrying about what could happen to them just walking down a street. Women in poorer countries struggle to find work with good conditions, protect their children from disease and hunger, and find adequate health care for gender-specific conditions. We definitely need to keep working for equality."
"Jason David Frank from Mighty Morphine Power Rangers inspired me to pursue acting. I had the opportunity to me him. Jim Carrey was another inspiration of my mine. I love making people laugh in general, but Jim Carrey really brought it out of me. My mother inspired my voice acting. She loved Sean Connery growing up so I learned his impression to make her laugh."
"How influenced is your generation by the media." “Extremely influenced! My peers are living in a world that never existed before. We are a generation of guinea pigs. We are given access to things that were inaccessible to previous generations. With the press of a button, we can figure out what the new trend in Europe or New York is. It’s hard to find yourself when everyone is trying to keep pace with what the media thinks is cool.”
"What inspired your trip to Zambia and South Africa?""Four years ago, at the age of twelve, I heard a message on going into the world and spreading the Gospel. After listening to the message, God really just started to lay missions on my heart, particularly to the country of Africa. Over time, this idea grew into something that I really felt God was calling me to do. One of the main focuses God was calling me towards was children's ministry. I've always had a huge heart for children, which I think probably came from growing up as the oldest on both sides of my family. I've always been around younger children. When I went to Romania two summers ago and got to play with the village children, it kind of just completely reinforced my desire to go to Africa to show God's love to the children there. The feeling you get when a bunch of little kids run up to you, laughing with a huge grin on their face, and grab your hand, is an experience that is completely unforgettable. That is the main reason I chose this trip, because I get to play with the kids the whole time and show them Jesus' love. I can't think of a better way to spend my summer."
“What’s the best part about your job?” “I love my job as a counselor because I have an opportunity each day to make a difference in the lives of the youth that we work with. In my previous career in law enforcement we spent a lot of time locking them up, but had no effective solution for troubled juveniles when they came out of the system. I realized if I had an opportunity to reach them before they entered the system I could make a huge difference in their lives.”
“What year did you come to America? ” “1967…48 years ago” “Why did you choose to come to America? ” “Most of my family members began migrating here from the Dominican Republic in search for a better opportunity. When I came we bought a house for $21,000 and Three years later I bought another house in Dominican Republic.”
"What is the most important lesson that you have learned in recent years?" "I would say the most important lesson is that not everything is your fault. In the past few years, my grandfather passed away, my parents split up, and I blamed myself even though it logically couldn't be my fault. Following that, I ended up being diagnosed with clinical depression and general anxiety. I blamed myself for that. Then, to top it all off, I stopped eating enough, which caused my medications for the other conditions not to work. I couldn't find anyone to blame, so I blamed myself, and in recovery I've realized how important it is not to do that; it's unhealthy and inaccurate."
"How do you express your gratitude for good things and people you have in your life?" "That's a tough one, but for me I believe that me never giving up on my dream is a way to show that. I have a dream to start my own private school from grades K to 12. Without the good things and people around me, I wouldn't be motivated to work towards this dream."
"What do you really love to do? Do you do it often? If you answer no, why not?" “I really like being a makeup artist. It’s something that became a creative outlet for me. I like to bring out the beauty in people that is already there. I like the moment when someone looks in the mirror and feels great about their appearance.”
"Why do you create music?" "I create music for many reasons. For starters, I think music can influence a younger generation to strive for change and for a better future. I am reminded of the influences that rap and rock music have had on society. Music is a way I choose to share my message and ideas. If it causes change in any way, shape, or form, then I have succeeded.Music is also therapeutic for me. It’s a way to express many ideas I have in my head, and make them audible for listening. Nothing is more satisfying that capturing a thought, emotion, or idea in a composition."
Q: "What inspires you? What inspired this piece/idea?" A: Kenneth, I think what inspires me is that point where human intuitiveness is brought to life by Divine inspiration, represented by the point of light in the composition. Design has always fascinated me for this reason. This particular work began as I was asked to create a mural that would draw people into the alley space where a really great little beauty salon was. The owner loves flowers and was drawn to a photograph I had of the "Springhill Road Hollyhocks." These flowers escaped from a garden long ago and continue to bless the community where they come back every year on the street corner. A gas station has replaced the house where they were first planted, but since they were first planted by my young colleague's great-grandmother, they have come to represent generations past blessing generations to come. In that spirit they have been carried forward to create a work that hopefully is a blessing to people in a new place as well.