I’m honored to share this commission from Washington University in St. Louis, my alma mater, for Professor Cliff Holekamp to celebrate his retirement and impact in launching the university’s entrepreneurship program. His commitment to entrepreneurs went beyond the university. In fact, Professor Holekamp’s unyielding support in building the St. Louis startup community directly led me to becoming an artist.

Photo provided by Washington University in St. Louis - Olin Alumni and Development

Right before I began painting full-time, I worked at a nonprofit supporting entrepreneurs through grants and services. Experiencing the potential to truly create something from nothing gave rise to my belief that I could pursue art seriously. While I was studying business in school, I could not have imagined that I would be asked to contribute my work as an artist when I became an alum. The impact that so many people have had on me is immense, and I just want to give my heartfelt thanks to Cliff for his role in shaping the environment and energy that gave birth to this new life I’m living.