Through the life perspective of a creative, I see beauty in ordinary things, in places where others don’t know to look. I see what they haven’t learned to see. The colors, patterns, and symmetry of a butterfly or flower. Light and shadows falling and contrasting. The skill of another artist, reflecting their perspective and passion, captured for eternity. The way that shapes and colors contrast and harmoniously balance out in nature, in architecture, on the human form. My natural creative instinct and abilities, combined with a life of arts education and training only amplifies this creative lens through which I view the world. The serenity, joy, and gratitude which this perspective brings me, fills me with the passion to share it with others.
Studying abroad in Cambridge, England, while earning my Bachelor of Arts in Art & Humanities at Valparaiso University, was a pivotal point of my life. I was able to experience new cultures as I traveled all over Europe on a pilgrimage to see with my own eyes as many art museums, and great works of art-sculptures, paintings, architecture, fountains-as possible that I had studied throughout my life. In Paris, Rome, Florence, Amsterdam, Munich, Salzburg, Vienna, London, and more, I visited the museums, cathedrals, castles, and settings from which the artists took their inspiration. Standing in front of works that I could vividly remember my teachers and professors passionately teaching me about, I studied them, memorized them, sketched them, and found new favorites that I had never learned about before. Favorites were Musée Rodin in Paris with his sculptures integrated into the gardens, and in Cambridge, a lovely home turned museum called Kettle’s Yard.
Through years working in the airline industry, the world became a very small accessible place as I travelled back to many of my European favorites for a weekend, or across the US to visit a different place for the day, always visiting the art museums and places of culture. New York, DC, Boston, San Diego, Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, Charlotte, Honolulu, Detroit, and a favorite of college days, Chicago. Simultaneously, I took advantage of every opportunity to develop and expand my own creative skills, drawing, painting, writing and poetry, and especially through photography and the film and television industry.
My favorite photos to take are of an editorial, photojournalistic nature, which capture attention, linger, and tell a story. During the University years, my photography was published in the University's Newspaper The Torch and literary magazine The Lighter, and since has been published in the FHC Free Press. I was a Photographer’s Assistant to Richard Rudisill in Charlotte, NC assisting on photo shoots for Lake Norman Magazine, University City Magazine, and SouthPark Magazine. I have been a Unit Stills Photographer for independent films in North Carolina and South Carolina, capturing the filming process for promotional and documentary purposes. As a freelance Photographer I have worked in the editorial and photojournalistic style as the Photographer for mission trips, as well as throughout my own travels. I was an intern at WTVI in Charlotte for 2 years in the Camera Department, a Production Assistant for Below the Line with George Peroulas, served as Director of Photography, Editor and other roles on my own film projects, and as Photographer for Lift Women's Ministry including documentary and event photography. I am currently a photographer at Prestige Portraits.