Starting Something New

I found myself in a pivotal moment in my life in the summer of 2015 after I had my car broken into across the street from where I used to go to art school. It was a Saturday night, I had a friend from out of state visiting NJ for the first time, and when we came back to my car from dinner, a window was shattered and a bag full of my art supplies, high school and college sketchbooks were gone. I was livid, perplexed, and heartbroken that I lost such an important piece of my growth as an artist.

Life speaks in loud volumes when you aren't listening, and what I heard and realized was that my identity has undeniably always been and will always be an artist. After meeting some new friends in 2015 who inspired me to create new artwork, I took a long awaited trip to California for the first time. It was there that I realized I want to carve my own path and pursue a career as an artist. By June of 2016, I started experimenting with art more than I had in years.

I kept going and kept experimenting. I stayed active and poured my heart and soul into my creativity. I started working less at my day job and more on my artwork. I started an Instagram to display my artwork. I found myself helping to close my favorite local art gallery, Torche Galerie, with owner and woodworking artist Roddy Wildeman. Quickly becoming friends, I helped assist him in his studio transitioning into a new style of art he was pursuing that he was challenging himself with.

I had always been a fan of his artwork since I discovered the gallery in 2014, and to see his passion and creativity in action was one of the most inspiring and contagious moments of my artistic career so far. I wound up taking a woodworking night class at a vocational school to start practicing my own skills and concentrated in furniture and decor.

After taking this class, I was in the market for a new job in a new field. I found an opportunity to work with a local furniture company, Stor New York. I have been with Stor since June 2017, apprenticing, learning, and developing professional skills in furniture making and finishing. I have started to apply the skills I've learned to my own artwork, and I can't wait to see how much more my artwork will flourish in the future.

It all started with having my artwork stolen. These last three years, I have grown so much as an artist, as a person, and as an entrepreneur. It's a long journey and hard work, but one that is meaningful to me. I hope others can find meaning in my development, the story I tell, and most importantly, in my artwork.