How do you honor your name?

This year, someone asked me for my name.

I said, “Polaris… like the star.”

They replied, "Le haces honor a tu nombre?" — "Do you honor your name?"

I stood there and reflected.

The work that I do, what I hope to accomplish, and wondered if I really did my name justice.

It reminded me that the name chose me, like a guiding light, my bright star, to strive higher every time I embody its identity, its purpose.

Every time I sign my name on a finished piece, I want to be proud that the message will touch someone profoundly, that it will inspire others as much as inspiration circulates through me.

I fell in love with art for its power to tell stories, to connect with the viewer, an ancient ritual in our community that our ancestors utilized to pass on their way of life and uphold traditions.

That’s why I picked up a pencil and let my soul be fluttered by the stars, nature and history. My greatest honor would be to call myself a storyteller.