Painting this self-portrait portrays both the physical and the internal makeup of my persona. On the surface is a painting of my 21-year-old self wearing my favorite American Eagle knit beanie. In the background, and peering through my right eye, is a collage of maps important to me. The map of the northeastern Mediterranean because of my travels there as well as the basis for my Western upbringing. The map of Orangeburg SC depicts the old Ruple Tavern where my family set up roots in our immigration. The map of Lake Murray, where my childhood family set up roots. And finally, the blueprints of my childhood Lexington, SC home where I spent my youth.