Artist Tyler Toole spent part of his childhood in the foster care system and Toole’s mom spent part of his childhood in prison. His first serious girlfriend provided stability amid uncertainty, and making art helped him cope with the end of that courtship. Toole believes his relationship with art developed more organically than intentionally. “Art chose me,” he said. “I didn’t choose art.” Initially, Tyler went to culinary school thinking his creativity would be expressed through food. But he got burned out on restaurant work. The restaurant work may have ended but his need to create did not. Art is a better fit for the life he is living now and the life he wants to build. He now hopes to turn his artistic passion into a profession while creating pieces that uplift and inspire. instagram.com/thatpainterskaterguy

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