Emancipated Gender: Oil Crayon on rough surface paper; 2224X1601—Having taught high school seniors for over a decade at a rural, conservative district, I watched many students fight to be “normal” within their community only to come out later in life declaring their true gender and sexuality. This piece is a representation of that transition while also incorporating a bit of the monster stereotype that a conservative society puts on anyone outside the status quo—yet any brave soul will flourish in spite of a label that society tries to pin on them.