"Smoke Break" is a group of characters I created inspired heavily by punk, alternative queer and transgender culture. I love more than anything to draw cool people, characters and faces- it's what I like to focus on in my work. I have a deep interest in people, their quirks, fanastic ideas and sharing personal joy. Flawed, messy, passionate unapologetically themselves people are what I wish to see more of. In a world where we are constantly pushed to sleekness, uniformity and soullnessess it can be hard to feel like anything that does not fit the status quo is worth viewing or investing time in. I do not care anymore, I do not care if everyone loves my art, I make my art for people like me so they can be seen and heard and know someone out there cares too.I wanted to create the type of characters I found relatable and cool. I have always been inspired by graphic novels, comics, cartoons- blending story telling with visual art. Though I am not quite sure if anything more will come of these characters, to me they would fit great in a punky, edgy graphic novel. Though their story is yet to be written I love to share these guys where I can. The first character in this series has been on display at the Phony Art Gallery Lock in and the Queery BTN. I hope I can keep sharing my work with people as an act of creating space for those like me.

One of my personal core values is freedom. I believe every person has the right to freedom of expression, love, creativity and above all water, food, stable shelter and safety. No person should be starving or houseless in a world where we have more than enough to go around. Call me political but I believe everyone deserves their needs met. FROM THE RIVER TO THE SEA, PALESTINE WILL BE FREE! Please consider donating to organisations like MAP- Medical Aid for Palestine, Doctors Without Borders for the Democratic Republic of Congo, HHRDs- Helping Hand for Relief and Development for Sudan and Children of Persia for Iran. There are many charities providing relief to countries that need our support and care. 100% of all profit from the sale of my Palestine stickers and prints goes to MAP. Make art to raise money for charities if you can!!! On the left of that are a couple of my pieces surrounding solidarity and recognition of queer and trans people. Unfortunatley, in this era of justifying hate it is political to be queer and transgender. Your existance in itself is a political issue because those at the top who decide our laws and rights do not have your care at heart. To them housing, feeding and providing hygenic and safe spaces for people to live has never been a priority, more a hinderance. Your existance means nothing to the powerful and the rich. They can get away with enything (e.g. Epstien files) but punish us for not sticking to the laws they pay our governments to pass. I as a trans, queer person wish to just exist, to love my friends, to care for my community, to frolic in nature, to find love and care, to sing and dance, to make art and be creative, to brathe fresh air and watch the stars at night. This is the true 'trans + queer agenda'.

On the left, are some of my personal pieces of art that helped me come to terms with being transgender. The piece 'Understanding' is something that means a lot to me and best shows my confusion and hope for the future. It is a personal reflection of my confusing feelings. As an autistic person I often struggle to put words to my feelings, being able to express myself with art is a very powerful tool for my personal self discovery. The second piece 'Reflection' is one I was creating when thinking about who I am and how I present to the world as someone who used to be incredibly hyper-feminine realising they may not actually identify with the label given at birth. These two mean a lot to me and have helped me understand my confusing existance just a little better. I have also used art as a way to explore my chronic illness, my piece 'I think I'll stay in Today' was a way for me exploring my personal boundries and learning what my body is telling me and learning to listen to it. As an autistic person I often struggle understanding body cues but to improve my mental and physical health I need to learn to take care of myself even when society judges and punishes us based on our 'output' and 'productivity'. My other piece shown here 'Keep Kissing Tboys' is an way exploration of my gender expression under the guise of sociatal expectation for gender and sexuality. As someone that identifies with the label 'Tboy' I have a lot of insecurities around dating and sexual experience- dysphoria, autism and past trauma all impact my ability to connect- but I try to remind myself and those like me that even though we feel scared we deserve to have good, pleasurable and fun experiences.