"PICK ME PICK ME", she shouted!

That's what it feels like when I read all of the other works submitted by amazing artists.

Am I good enough? Is it cool enough? That's the million dollar question isn't it? We want to be accepted, revered and put up on a pedestal. It would mean validation, that you are finally good enough if people accept your work and your art. We all think we are special though. We all think we have something to offer that is great.

Our parents use to tell us in an effort to be fair and supportive; "You are special, You are amazing and talented."

But we each have a different flair and a different way to expressing things. It's like comparing Lobster to Filet mignon. They both are amazing and great... but different.

So, I'm supposed to convince you why Lobster is better than Filet Mignon? Hmmm well, I guess I could have picked a better food to compare myself to than Lobster, since I am high in cholesterol. And Lobsters are basically scavengers.

Oh wait... I guess that is me. I like to use found goods, I would rather rework and recycle a used item than buy something brand new. I find beauty and challenge in creating something new from the existing and old.

I advocated shopping at thrift stores and using hand-me downs way before it was hip or cool to do so. I'm sure the Corporate retail stores didn't love me for tearing down their retail empires.

Being the youngest in a family of 8, I was always last to get the hand me downs. There was a pair of pale yellow polyester bell bottoms that I had coveted from sister #3. But by the time I got it the fashion for bell bottoms had passed. But I didn't care. I wore those proudly to school. Oblivious of the looks and remarks I was getting about the weird girl who wore funky fashions and wasn't going with the flow of the "trendy" girls. Suddenly I was embarrassed and realized I was the laughing stock.

Until one day the Punk Rocker in our school came up to me and said," I always look to see what you are wearing because you are an inspiration to me. You are different and unique."

Those words have stuck with me ever since. He'll never know how much that lit me up from within and gave me the courage and strength to stay my course and continue to just be me.

So why should you support me? Because it takes a lot of courage to not let other voices influence you so that you aren't being true to yourself. We need to keep that alive.

And it's us, the underdogs and weirdos who make the world interesting unique and different. We inspire the world to think outside of the box and to Create....

Because we don't want the world to lose that individuality. Otherwise we would all be carbon copies of the same thing, boring, one flavor, one style, one voice.

Support me to keep the world from turning into a plain flavor of vanilla. As lovely as vanilla is, the world is a more interesting place with the rocky roads, mint chocolate chips and fudgy goodness.

I will continue to create art, the way I see it through my eyes. Whether it's through costumes, poetry, photography, dance or paint... I hope that it will inspire you to feel what you need to feel, to express what you want to, and to have the courage to not give up and to not let other people get you down by telling you " you are not good enough."

You are good enough, I am good enough.

Being creative and expressing my voice is what fulfills me. I'm your poster girl for keeping that ideal alive.