Driven by design.

During my undergraduate studies, I had the privilege of working with Camilo Pardo, renowned designer of the 2005 Ford GT and a fellow CCS alumnus. Under his mentorship, I explored fine art, large-scale painting, and automotive design—an experience that deeply shaped my creative direction.

Working in his studio, surrounded by sculpture, artwork, and an incredible lineup of cars, pushed me creatively. We bonded over a shared passion for racing, and that connection made the experience even more meaningful.

He showed me that art and design don’t have to be linear—applying design principles across disciplines like fashion, furniture, sculpture, and fine art. That perspective continues to influence my work today.

I also had the honor of showcasing my automotive paintings at his annual Designers’ Night during the Detroit Auto Show, a milestone that made all the effort behind the work truly worthwhile.

A standout moment from that time was meeting Michael K. Williams (Boardwalk Empire) during an intimate studio gathering—one of those surreal, “how is this real?” experiences I’ll never forget.