“I was strongly convinced colored pencils would never be my desired choice of medium. The collection "Birds of Africa" including three distinctly unique African birds revealed my deep passion for colored pencils. Birds represent a sense of freedom and the ability to view the world from a different perspective than what any human could ever perceive. Birds can make the choice of whether to stay or take flight in any circumstance. I chose African birds for inspiration due to their vibrant colored and intricate feathers. In each piece, I intentionally chose to eliminate the background to show the beauty within each bird without distraction. This collection has not only been my first step in colored pencils but my first collection to be shown and appreciated by others. In creating "Birds of Africa" I found patience and acceptance in the process of colored pencils.”