GraciLou Ackerman is a Houston-based visual artist originally from Carmi, Illinois, who earned her BFA in photography from Murray State University in Kentucky. Her work is driven by a belief in the importance of composition as a formal enhancement, with a particular focus on the balance within the frames she creates. Ackerman draws inspiration from various cultural philosophies, including the Navajo worldview, which emphasizes the internal generation of beauty and its projection onto the world, while remaining mindful of the significance of these cultural teachings. Her art is a dynamic and evolving process, often shaped and reshaped within the digital realm. Introspectively, she views art as a therapeutic medium that allows her to articulate complex emotions and reflect on her life experiences through both visual and written forms. In her practice, Ackerman explores the concept of emotional liberation, reflecting on the personal and psychological aspects of her journey, while navigating the paradoxes of the world and seeking both a call to advocacy and connection.