I never had any talent for visual artistry. I failed seventh grade art – though mainly because I couldn't finish building an overambitious mask before the year ended. (I finished it in grade nine and went back to my elementary school to show my teacher, because I was that kid.) I actually started out as a writer. I have been writing poetry and stories since age eight, and went so far as to complete a seven-and-a-half-year poetry degree through Douglas College and the University of Victoria. Unfortunately, after seven years of being forced to produce without inspiration, I stopped enjoying writing, or even feeling I was good enough to progress with it, so I pretty much stopped writing altogether.

My wife and I moved to Calgary for a new in 2016. I have been trying to get the thread of my writing back under my fingertips, but I haven't had a lot of success. I was trying to find creative things my wife and I could do together on our days off (she's also the reluctant owner of a writing degree from UVic, and she is extremely gifted in painting and needle arts, so naturally I'm intimidated when we do art together) and I found a workshop for learning dot art at a local community classroom. It said it was appropriate for all levels and ages, and I figured I couldn't mess it up too badly, so I signed us up. It turned out to be one of the most stressful-yet-relaxing experiences of my life. Stressful because I am a major perfectionist, but relaxing because the work was so meditative, and because you don't have to know what it's going to look like to build something amazing as you go, which is a big deal for me.

I loved it so much that after just one class I taught the techniques to my sister, and created two mandala pieces I really liked for my mother and my grandmother. It wasn't until recently that I realised I could make interesting pieces on old vinyls, and that they could be a good medium for Pride flags.

As a VERY queer person myself, I know that finding representation and acknowledgement in art is important. I want to ensure that as many folks as possible feel included and seen, which is why I'm building a design for every Pride flag I can think of. Every person and every body should be celebrated, and I'm doing what I can to make that happen.