Humans of Downey - Carla

"In tenth grade, our history teacher took our class to the House of Blues in Hollywood. There was an incredible amount of art work being displayed. What caught my attention was an exhibit that featured a lot of human skulls. They were distributed all over the House of Blues on different pieces of furniture. I remember the reason why the artist chose to display skulls in so many areas and in so many different mediums. The skull is universal. Everyone has one. That stuck with me ever since that field trip. It reminds me that I have that in common with everybody else. We all have a skull. As I remember that, it reminds me that we are all alike and yet different.

"Since I was a little girl, I've been told that I was the type of kid that marched to the beat of their own drum. I was always doing something different than my peers. In grade school, when the other girls were playing with their dolls and playing house during play time, I was coloring or doing other art activities. I was really drawn to art. At home, I played office. I played with papers, staplers, and other office supplies. My parents were small business owners. After school, I would spend most of my time at the office, helping out. I got to play with all the office supplies. My dad was in construction so I got to play with tools and other home improvement items that probably weren't safe for a child my age to play with—but I did it anyway.

"I believe the model I saw at home, my mother being a working parent, gave me the foundation and courage to make my own choices in life. Although she could have chosen to stay home, she chose to support my dad in his business. She would take me along on business trips so I was always on the go. That was my upbringing and it has made me the unique person I am today."

~ Carla