Discovering acrylics as an adhesive sparked my interest in what I called “functional art”—art I could wear. My first jacket became my initial form of Art-in-Motion, which I started wearing during my punk days at Dancerteria. While attending the Borough of Manhattan Community College, I had the opportunity to take a painting class that introduced me to stretched canvas. This experience allowed me to explore using acrylics like soft pastels, as evident in my Mother Earth Series. However, I lacked the skills to stretch canvas, the resources to purchase canvas, and the proper space and support to explore. As a result, I returned to playing small, eking out small works on wood scraps.