My first Viral Video

In February 2018, I was interviewed in my garage by a videographer for Hearst Media. The video was edited to focus on my synesthesia, a neurological ability that affects how I perceive colors. It was picked up by Insider, went viral on Facebook and received over 6 million views. This was my first ever interview, and it had a sudden, huge impact on my career.

Within a week, nearly every painting I had made sold. I was flooded with orders, and offered an image licensing deal with a luxury beauty brand. My Instagram account went from around 200 followers to over 10,000. For this introvert, it was a terrifying experience, but it gave me so many opportunities. Because of the video, I was able to grow my small business enough to paint full time and rent my first professional studio.

The videographer, Reaa Puri, was laid off by Hearst that same week, with less than a day’s notice. She went on to start her own successful production company at age 23, which now films projects for Nike and other major companies. She recently gave a TEDx talk on her experience. I hired her team, Breaktide Productions, to film my first online course on the metal leafing technique I debuted in the Insider video. Her team also made my Aura Magnetic Method course the next year, on another original technique I developed which was featured on Buzzfeed.

I’m incredibly grateful for this video, and while I never expected any of this, I’ve used my sudden internet fame to raise nearly $40K for nonprofits since the video with my artwork. Thank you for your support!