ABOUT

I was a professional photographer.

I specialized in child portraiture and was known for stark expressions, vivid colors and creative urban locations. I had an active studio in the East Village neighborhood of downtown San Diego. 

In the Fall of 2016, I experienced a series of unfavorable events that left me in a bit of a breakdown. It was time for me to be prepping for the busy season in the portrait business, and I had nothing. I was empty, empty and becoming depressed. I am not the praying kind, but praying is what I did. I asked, "What do I do now?" and real estate kept coming to mind. So, I collected myself and enrolled in real estate classes. I no longer had any desire to do photography. I packed up my camera and I let my studio go.

While doing the real estate course work, I found myself at the art store with a cart full of paint and a few canvases. It came from nowhere. I needed a new creative outlet, to fill the photography void I suppose. I got home all excited with my new art supplies, set up a work space in the back yard, then doubt set in. I stood there, paralyzed, staring at a blank canvas. "What am I thinking?" I asked myself, "I'm not a painter."

I had studied art in college, but that was a long time ago. I was full of anxiety and doubt. I sat down in tears. "Who do I think I am, an artist or something?"

Wait....I AM an artist or something. I have been creating art for my clients for the past decade and a half. Yes, it was with my camera and not paint, but the design elements are still the same. I know about color, texture, contrast, composition. I have been told many times that I have such a great eye.

Do I really?

"TRY! " I told myself. "Just paint for the trash can...for the process. Paint without judgement. Just paint." I finally convinced myself and I began. It felt good and I liked it. And you know what? I liked what I had painted. So, I painted and I painted.

How how about that?