I am a queer Brazilian/American artist with a soft accent that grows dramatically heavier and shakier whenever I have to speak in public—

I often do things that scare me, which seems to be an effective, if slightly chaotic, life strategy.
I don’t always believe in people, but I absolutely believe in their dreams. Dreams are reliable that way—they show up even when everything else is questionable.

After a lifetime of making things, it took me about fifteen years to finally say out loud,
“Yes, I’m an artist.” Apparently, my art knew before I did.

Today I trust my process and my intuition. I’ve learned to recognize my favorite hobby—self-sabotage—and gently escort it out of the room so the real work can begin.

Every piece starts with a vision of the finished work living very clearly in my mind. Then the real adventure begins: the joyful chaos of taking that vision apart. I make lists of materials I need, materials I already have, techniques I must learn, and people I should probably ask for help.

Soon, I’m researching, reading, experimenting with mediums, having conversations, and occasionally meditating to keep my brain from overheating.

Some weeks, it feels like I’m hosting an entire conference inside my head.
Luckily, the keynote speaker is always the work itself.

– Lys Akerman-Frank