Big Mountain Dora
My art is a reflection of the chaotic beauty that comes from breaking and rebuilding. Through visual storytelling, I explore themes of trauma, recovery, transformation, and identity. Each piece is a step in reclaiming my narrative—a process of turning pain into purpose.
My work challenges the shame often tied to addiction and trauma. Instead, I create from a place of radical honesty and hope. I believe that our scars can be sources of strength, and through creativity, we can find healing not just for ourselves, but for others walking similar paths.
From Chaos to Canvas
Art born from trauma, recovery, and the relentless pursuit of healing.
Born and raised in Colorado Springs, I grew up in a strict Pentecostal household that left little room for emotional expression or tools for coping with life’s hardships. Autonomy was virtually nonexistent—every decision was made for me, and obedience was demanded without question. Living in such a rigid environment didn’t just silence my voice—it left me without the basic skills to navigate life or make healthy choices. By the time I turned 18, I had endured several major traumas that shaped the course of my early life. I also grew up undiagnosed autistic, which added another layer of confusion and isolation—constantly wondering why life felt so hard for me and seemed so easy for everyone else. In the absence of guidance or support, I spiraled into addictive behaviors—drugs, alcohol, and a pattern of self-destruction that only compounded the pain I was trying to escape. My substance use in those early adult years exposed me to even deeper levels of trauma—experiences that were often chaotic, dangerous, and profoundly damaging.
I always knew addiction ran in my family, so I kept an eye on my drug use—but alcohol was a different story. It was socially acceptable, easy to hide behind, and slowly took over my life. Everything changed after a life-altering event: my ex-husband suffered severe injuries during seizures caused by alcohol withdrawal. That was the first time I learned you can actually die from alcohol withdrawal. It shook me to my core. I realized I was heading down the same path if I didn’t make a serious change.
My recovery began with false starts and relapses, but I never gave up. On August 3, 2015, I found lasting sobriety. A huge part of my healing was thanks to The Phoenix, a sober active community that gave me a place to move, connect, and feel seen. But ultimately, I did the work. And if you're struggling, I want you to know—you can too.
