In 2017, I presented the visual element of my creative writing thesis for my BFA in Creative Writing from Chapman University, an experimental prose poetry piece called The Hurt of Becoming.

The title of my thesis was inspired by a line from “I Sing the Body Electric, Especially When My Power’s Out,” written by poet Andrea Gibson: "The sun said, 'It hurts to become.'" This project explored identity fragmented by trauma and family history and acted as a creative reclamation of my voice through writing.

The visual collage was not a requirement of my thesis project, but was something I did in addition to my thesis. The project was showcased in 2017 in Anaheim, California as part of an art show I organized with other students pursuing creative degrees.