The work of Georgia O’Keeffe is very tender to me and formative as an artist. She grew up in an age where it was uncommon and sometimes unheard of to be a trained female artist, but she got her education and created a name for herself with her art. She is described as “the Mother of American Modernism”, and painted subjects of her choice, in whatever way she pleased. Typically this meant flowing, abstracted forms and vibrant colors. She gave new life to natural forms in a “signature blend of realism and abstraction”, and this is precisely what I try to emulate in my work. I was introduced to O’Keeffe’s work at an early age as a child with a library book. Even then, I was drawn to the whimsical figures and bright colors. Growing up, and realizing my artistic calling, I’ve come back to the elements I was attracted to creatively back then, and let it fuel my current trajectory. Now I can appreciate her work on a more critical level, and work to achieve success through this creative outlet in the same way she did.