I’ve always loved drawing and painting portraits—they’re one of my favorite ways to capture personality and emotion through art. I’m incredibly grateful to the Art Guild for honoring my piece with the highest award in their recent show themed “Capturing the Moment.” It truly means a lot to me.

The portrait features my daughter during a memorable family visit to the Biltmore in Ashville, North Carolina. While we were exploring, she had fun trying on different hats at a charming little hat shop. I asked her to pause for a quick photo, and to my surprise, it turned out to be one of those rare, perfect shots—full of color, character, and that effortlessly cool pose only a teenager can pull off.

I often save photo references for future inspiration, and this one stood out immediately. When I saw the theme of the exhibition, I knew this moment fit beautifully. Painting it gave me a chance to relive a fun family memory and celebrate the spirit of my daughter at that age.

Winning the award was such a wonderful surprise, but more than that, I’m just thankful for the opportunity to share a piece that feels so personal and joyful. Moments like this remind me why I love what I do.