I created this charcoal piece to explore the experiences and influences that have shaped who I am since childhood. In the center is myself, surrounded by vines and meaningful objects that represent my growth. My phone, playing Sleep Token's "Take Me Back To Eden," reflects my love for creativity and music. The "Portland Oregon: Old Town" sign honors the city that taught me to embrace individuality and meaning. My favorite stuffed cat symbolizes my sentimental nature, while a framed photo of my childhood cats shows my connection to animals. The vines act as a metaphor, visually tying these memories to my personal development. Using charcoal, I worked from darkest to lightest values-layering, erasing, and refining shading to build depth, contrast, and emotion-drawing focus to the most significant elements of my story.