A Brief glimpse into the innards of the artist
By the age of two I was already telling my parents that I wanted to be an artist. My talent at that point was already evident. As long as I could remember my teachers were always impressed with my ability, and my parents were very encouraging. My father had wanted to be an artist when he was growing up as well, but instead majored in business. I was determined not to make the same mistake.
I was seven when I painted my first oil painting. It was the product of a class I took, which had been advertised in the newspaper. The entire class painted the same thing, a pre-sketched mailbox. I also painted two other pieces in that class, perhaps I'll put them on the site sometime.
I lived in Fontana until the end of the fourth grade. I went to Locust Elementary. My older brothers, Christopher and Benjamin, and my younger brother, Michael, also went there.
I moved through Moreno Valley, and attended a series of schools. (Ramona and Moreno Elementary, Sunnymead and Landmark Middle, and Moreno Valley High School) In the seventh grade I took an art class that taught me almost nothing. I didn't care much for the teacher but she tested me for GATE. She also accused me of cheating in her class. I took the GATE classes sometimes, taught by Miss Meyer. She would be my high school art teacher eventually. I enjoyed her classes. She never ceases to encourage her students and encite artistic enthusiasm.
When I first started going to Moreno Valley H.S., I found that the art classes were highly sought after. In spite my desperate pleas they would not place me in an art class. My counselor, Miss Scott, tried to convince me that it was no big deal. Well, I'm still quite angry about it. Anyway, it was my freshman year that I became involved with theater. I started out backstage as a costume tech, and moved up to FOH engineer. I ran sound for the plays, and I still do once in a while. I also tried my hand at lights, but that's not really for me. I was taking after school GATE classes, but at the time theater was my focus.
When my junior year rolled around, my grades were sub-par, so my mom decided that her best bet on their improvement was to pull me from theater. I was upset that I missed that year, but it did allow me to focus on art. I took a GATE class through Mr Lutes. A very talented and well educated artist who also works for Disney. He has most contributed to my growth, because he taught me how to draw, the right way. I still am very grateful I was able to take that class. I might not be nearly as good right now, if I had not taken that class.
During my senior year, I got a new theater teacher, who combined my love of theater and art. He decided to allow me to design the set for the play Fiddler on The Roof. I new nothing about designing sets, and still don't. But it was still a good experience. . . in some ways. I would enjoy trying it again. At that time I also started dating Jon, the creator of this site.
Well, I graduated in 2001, and then began taking classes at RCC. My first goal was just to transfer to Cal. State Fullerton, but I soon decided that I rather focus primarily on art. I continued taking classes for transfer and my own benefit. I have now completed two years and 51 credits at RCC. Now I am working on my Bachelors of Fine Arts at The Academy of Art College. I am so very happy to be here, and am learning a lot. I chose this school because of its rigorous academic setting. It is lots and lots of hard work, and I love it!
I've been working while attending college up until now. First I had a part time job at GameStop. Before that I was working at Target, almost full time. And just to get more money I left Target and began working at Home Depot. NEVER SHOP OR WORK THERE!! It is horrible, horrible place. They make no attempt to keep it clean, paperwork is more important than customers, the lines are half an hour long on a regular basis, it takes forever to get any sort of help because it is under staffed, almost everyday I wouldn't get breaks or lunches, and it's been over a month since I left and they still owe me over $400!!! Go to Lowes, and work anywhere else.
Recently I've tried my luck with OneModelPlace. It is a good way to build a modeling portfolio, and I would highly recommend it. It does take some time though. So if you are a photographer, feel free to contact me for TFPs or paid assignments. I also have some wonderful ideas for photos, if anyone is interested.
You can e-mail me for almost any sort of art assignment, and I will be most grateful to do it. I have excellent rates, which are available for a limited time. (Most BFA students sell paintings that are around 20x24 in size for about $1000 by the time they graduate). So take advantage while I am still learning. Thank You! ---