a mind-map of a resolute connection to my diagnoses

i think that i never quite anticipated my life going one specific way , or the other .

i think i always knew there would be visual artistry involved , that typed .

i grew up in a fashion-forward household , & i spent time with extended family members who styled themselves for church services , that they led , & designed dresses for my school pictures , & costumes , as well . a great-aunt , in particular , had such a collection of high fashion magazines , that i inadvertently became a student of editorial design , which i found to be quite infinite , in potential , even as a youth .

in the way i dress , there has always been a flair for the somewhat dramatic , as a result , & i get to connect that with my history of painting , illustration , & sculpture , where i can customize , or alter . i was born in Clarendon , Jamaica , & i arrived in Canada , during 1990 , cold season , which has had a direct effect on the way i dress , the way i have dressed others , & the way that i style the characters in my fashion artistry . i add a bit of country , for the love of it . i am a student of fashion , in & out of the industry , however , my skill-sets in sewing & pattern-making seem to refuse to graduate , the way my creative skills have . sometimes , that is a bit embarrassing for myself to articulate , fully . perhaps , one day , i can build my weaknesses into portfolio work .

my incredible parents got myself my first easel when i was in elementary school , from the former Loomis & Toles , & i began to practice the hobby . at first , i mostly painted flowers . i later painted fruit , & vegetables , as well ; my lovely , supportive , mother would send out pictures of my finished pieces , & there are at least a couple , framed , & on display in the homes of family , & friends . i experimented with portraits , & i began to develop my skill-sets by rendering in the style of artists that i had a lot of fun researching & discovering , for example ; when my father would take us to the Art Gallery Of Ontario . toward the end of elementary school , i discovered the cataloguing of runway imagery , & i went to a cartooning club , with my brother . the two have really had an impact on my illustration style , as i began to sketch altered versions of famous designer collection pieces , as well as curated looks , in addition to illustration , after illustration , of original dresses , shirts , denims , & even footwear . i made friends with another student , in middle school ; they would colour the designs that i drew , or i would colour their designs . i was always mid-outfit .

we moved out to Ajax , the year i would have started the second grade of middle school , & the Durham Region educational structure titled myself via elementary , for one more year . there was , amazingly , a lot of creative projects , & i really felt comfortable expressing myself , with not just visual arts ; i joined the cast of the play , i sang with a friend in the talent show , & i made it into the honour choir . i played the trombone , i played in flag football games with the guys , & i played street hockey with friends in matching Adidas shell-toes .

once i started Catholic High School , things became a little more strict , for myself . my parents are educated , & ultra-hard-working , & they always have been ; i entered high school with the accolades that elementary afforded myself , including valedictorian , although , i definitely felt a pressure to accomplish more , in my own rights .

here we go , vocal . i have started to share my story , with yourselves . thank you , for the opportunity .