Westen Pedersen-Giles was born in Oak Hill, Virginia in 2000. His family relocated to Chandler, Arizona in 2007. Drawn to the beauty of the Sonoran Desert, Pedersen-Giles relishes hiking and exploring mountain ranges in the Tucson area. Homeschooled, he immersed himself in the aesthetics of other cultures. Guided by these interests, Pedersen-Giles began painting and his newfound passion inspired him to further his studies. He has an Associate of Arts, Fine Arts degree from Chandler-Gilbert Community College. There, he studied painting, drawing, and ceramics. Pedersen-Giles’s work combines a love of nature with an interest in symbolism. It has been recently featured in 2020 exhibits at Chandler-Gilbert Community College and the Mesa Convention Center in Arizona.