Photo courtesy of Shei Phan
“I just have it in me to create,” said Shei Phan. “I have always created one way or another.”

The artist is an Oklahoma native who lived throughout the entire state, as well as in California and Las Vegas. Phan began her creative journey during her childhood while witnessing her mother obtain an A+ as a single parent, since she raised her and her two siblings. Despite the challenges the family experienced, her mother always ensured the kids had food on the table and a place to sleep. Overall, Phan, her siblings, and her mother were always on the move, which always seemed like another adventure.

“I think moving around a lot as a child, attending multiple schools, living out of the car, having to stay at shelters, and just encountering so many different types of people along the way made my imagination even stronger,” said Phan. “Seeing how my mother always kept a smile on her face and made the best out of every situation sparked the creativity in all of u...