My name is Francisco Diaz, and I am from a small town in South Carolina. I am a photographer, videographer, and mural artist. I've always been fascinated with art since I can remember. Everything that is art, from pencil drawings to piano playing, singing to cooking! In my early years in high school, I was going down a bad road. I had given up on myself, hung out with the wrong crowds, skipped many days of school, and did not care a single bit. Until my junior year, I took an art class and started to spray paint. It had a huge impact on me and opened my eyes, showing me that there was something to strive for. That same year, after some friends passed away due to gang violence and drugs, I joined an after school program called Cypress Adventure (go check them out; they are amazing). They showed me how to develop leadership skills and how to help younger students that were in middle school at that time. I showed those students my art, and they were fascinated, and then it clicked for me. I can make a change. I can help guide youth away from violence and drugs and help them find their passion through my photography, videography, murals and use my art to spark a flame in youth's hearts.
