What inspires my work?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve been asked "what nationality are you?", "where are you from?" or simply, "what are you?" Once perhaps an easy question to answer, generations later, it is a beautiful melting pot of an answer. I grew up in the vibrant Bay Area of Northern California and achieved a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology from UCLA. Although deeply connected to my Filipino heritage, I am also Hawaiian, Spanish and Irish. In addition, I see my family’s melting pot growing across the globe as my 3 daughters marry and have children of their own. 

I’ve always loved books and was especially drawn to children’s literature. My kids were enthralled with stories and we could read the same one over and over and it always seemed fresh and new. That’s when the seed was planted that I wanted to create something meaningful that could be enjoyed day after day. So when my first grandchild Phoenix was born, not only was it love at first sight, but I knew I wanted to share with him where he came from. The hardships, the discoveries, the adventures, and the love that got him here. My family is my inspiration to continue telling stories and creating art that teaches acceptance, the appreciation of our differences and to discover our similarities.