About the Artist

I begin my story by telling people that I was born and raised in Central Florida. This inevitably leads to me expanding on that statement by making it known that I am a sixth generation Floridian. This is usually seen as an impressive feat for a state full of vacationers.

I have to make all of this clear because it makes such a huge impact on my story as an artist. I grew up in Winter Garden, FL, a small town west of Orlando.

I’ve always been making art. I’ve always had a crayon, pencil, marker, or paintbrush at hand. I was known as one of two artists in my grade throughout elementary school.

Fast forward to my high school years and we see a great struggle. Do I follow through with my musical talents or do I pursue art as my main focus in college? This was truly a major decision because I’d spent seven years at this point honing my musical skills in percussion. Art had been an offhand hobby that I’d thrown a few hours towards, taking a course here and there that expanded my knowledge in ceramics, sculpture, drawing, painting, and new to everyone in the 90’s, digital media.

I eventually made the decision. It took me several years to make it through college with a finished degree in Fine Arts focusing on Printmaking, but I did it. Immediately I found a job utilizing my print making skills!

NOT!

No, I found a job at my church in worship media, with a sideline ministry working with the youth. In a round about way I got to use my degree, designing flyers, websites, and worship slideshows. Plus, on our yearly mission trips, I was blessed with the opportunities to design and paint murals all over the place.

Do you know what happened? My faith grew, my artistic skills grew, and the ministry that God had been calling me in to from my very birth began to become more and more clear to me.

I know this sounds a bit evangelical. Don’t be mistaken. It’s very evangelical. I believe that Jesus Christ is my Lord and Savior, and that I have been put on this earth to spread His Word and His Love. That part isn’t difficult for me. Following the path, now that’s the hard part.

I was encouraged by several mentors throughout the years. I feel the need to list them by name because they each played their role: Julie Branom, Marsha Rager, Marco Newland, and J. Danny Pearcy.

Mary Keating encouraged me to utilize my artistic skills for both the church and for the world. I am forever grateful for her influence in my life. It is through her that I began showing artwork at 127 SOBO Gallery, sponsored by the Winter Garden Art Association.

Education