Hello, my name is Patricia , I am 42 Years old and I am a Fine Artist on the Jersey Shore. I was a nurses aid for fifteen years and I injured my back and later turned to surgery. I was no longer able to return to any laborious work. With only a very small compensation and not hurt enough for disability I decided to get government help to go back to school. At that same time, through woman's counseling I was aided rental assistance because of an abusive marriage. Having a natural talent in art I went ahead and went to community college and at the same time my earned my high school diploma and held a part time job,after graduation I was excepted into one of the best Art schools in NY and received my Bachelors in Fine art. I have been continuously been improving my craft now for 15 years. I travel to many art festivals, participate in some shows and every now and then I get into a gallery group show. Nothing big yet. Although I do not sell many works I know at some point after this economic crisis is over, I could possibly gather a regular clientele or a gallery will spot me for representation. As for now and the past five years, I have been working on my home business of art. I no longer have my part time job as a framer but I have been working on an idea for over a year and recently I presented it to the Arts Board in my childhood town. I am a part of an organization that has approved my idea for a public arts project in which will involve the community, the schools and some of the top students at a nearby engineering university. It will be created from recycled plastic and solar energy. It will bring the community together, build confidence in a new way of renewable energy and and see art in a new way. This will be big, 50% chance of no pay- but that's the art business. So I am very excited, but the reason I say all this is because I need a different truck. I paid 10,000 for my used 1996 Nissan pathfinder 10 years ago. The only problems I have had is, exhaust and new rotors. But in the past few months it is running ragged, shimmy's and shakes. Both my brothers are mechanics and after inspection, the whole under carriage is rusted, the back axle is about to give, the transmission is slipping and the outer body has rust all over with dome holes, not to mention that those long steps you go up and in the car, both sides just fell off at separate times along the high way while driving. So needless to say, when it rains, it pours. My art business just isn't enough to get a decent truck or van, I worry because I use it to carry 9- 6 ft metal panels for my art display and all of my paintings, and use it for all art purposes and of course getting to and from work. I search for a van or camper would be better, but it's not much use when all I can manage to save at one time is about $400 dollars. I hope to give this a try and if you like to see my art please go to www.Thespanishartist.com Thank you Patricia Arroyo