Yesterday, I touched down in Houston for 24 hours to see my self portrait, which was acquired by The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston last year, and is currently on view. Walking into the gallery and discovering that my image is the first thing that people see when they enter was jarring and powerful. I cried. As an artist, I’m not used to seeing myself as the subject being gazed upon. The image was also a reminder of how far I’ve come, not only as an artist - but as a human being. The fact that an image that I made of myself is being viewed by so many people and is residing in one of the most important art institutions in the world is not something that I would have believed or imagined as a child growing up humbly on the Southside of Chicago - or as a young woman trying to dig myself out of the depths of debilitating depression and almost terminal self doubt. I’m grateful that I’m still here. I’m grateful for the life that I have. And that, despite everything I’ve lived through, I never fully gave up on myself. This year has had a lot of ups and downs for me. I’ve doubted myself. I’ve doubted my talent. I’ve doubted my future as an artist. This was the reminder that I needed. Who I am and what I’m capable of is Undeniable. Thank you to @mfahouston for this honor and for the incredible private tour of the museum and it’s archives. I’ll be posting those images and videos in my stories. Special thanks to @jeffreyhensonscales @mloo @jolieruben @amandalwebster at The New York Times for the assignment that birthed this image. #sourcesofselfregard #nyt #mfahouston #danascruggs