A woman with long brown hair, wearing glasses and a red tank top, is sitting at a table in a cafe, drawing or writing in a sketchbook. Various art supplies, including paintbrushes, watercolors, pens, and a yellow bowl, are spread out on the table. There is a disposable coffee cup in front of her, and a bottle of water on her left. The cafe has large windows and a pack of paper with star and face drawings is visible in the foreground.

I dabbled with the idea of a starving artist career, but — let’s be real — the economy had other plans.

I looked beyond my unexplainable obsession with painting fish, and found that art direction is the route I'm looking to take in advertising. Being raised by a family of New York Italians has taught me to be the best at what I strive to do, which is how I got here.



Group of 14 people posing outdoors during the day, with green trees and a white tent in the background.
A woman with glasses and braided hair smiling and talking to another person in an indoor rock climbing gym. She is sitting on the ground with her legs spread apart, wearing a black tank top, gray sweatpants, and climbing shoes, with a yellow climbing hold behind her.
A young couple poses on a city bridge during sunset, with the man carrying the woman in a red dress. The city skyline is visible in the background.
Group of five young friends sitting close together on a porch or patio at night, some smiling and looking at the camera, one person looking at a phone, with a glass door and windows behind them.