I really can't talk about the two artwork images below without telling you a little bit about my art background, because first and foremost, I do consider myself an ARTIST before I am a photographer. When I was young, I loved art so much that the highlights of my youth comprised of winning a couple of major art competitions. In the third grade, I won a contest at my elementary school in which my acrylic painting of Halley's comet was mass printed onto T-shirts and sold as a fund raiser. (It was to commemorate the 76-year return of the famous comet during February-March 1986). Then in the fifth grade, I won a county-wide competition in which my watercolor painting entitled "Jacksonville's People," along with those of five other student winners, was enlarged onto a full-size billboard. It was displayed and rotated throughout the city for six months as part of an annual arts awareness campaign. Then every year in high school, I took art classes -- from drawing and painting to sculpture and printmaking. I loved it! Creating art everyday was so much fun, but I took it very seriously.

So...contrary to where you thought this story would have led to, I did not go on to formally study Fine Art (nor even Photography) in college -- instead I pursued a B.A. degree in Radio/TV Broadcasting because I had this crazy vision of becoming an artsy music video director (back to when a certain channel actually played music videos). Years later, I went back to school and also earned an A.S. degree in Interior Design, which taught me how to think spatially, out of the box, and solve design dilemmas. And so after many years of working in the Film/TV production industry (where I picked up a thing or two about camera lenses, lighting, and telling a visual story) and then as a project coordinator and office manager at an interior design firm (where I learned a thing or two about running a small business), is when I decided to pursue a career in photography -- in a way, to go back to my creative roots where it's just me and the art medium, trying to make interesting pictures, and to be my own boss.

So that's where I am today, and why I am sharing these two creations below that I recently worked on. They are mixed media collages that combine my hand painting with photographic imagery. It's something that I can offer in addition to a photograph. You can commission me to create you an actual piece of art!

I created and gave this 24" x 36" collage painting to my cousin as a belated wedding gift. She had asked for an abstract painting that incorporated images and articles from the wine magazine that she actually brought to her first date (as an ice breaker) with her now husband, as they both loved wine. Being a sentimental fool myself, I appreciated what she requested of me. It also has actual wine bottle labels from her wedding reception and her wedding colors. This is the framed art, entitled "Wedding Toast." I wanted it to have a very celebratory/confetti party feel.

This collage is for myself and has three main elements to it: two photographs and my acrylic painting. I took the beach photograph at Anna Maria Island (one of my favorite beaches) and the 3-dimensional hot air balloons are from a Louis Vuitton window display. How could I pass by the store window and NOT go bananas over them?! I love hot air balloons! (Hence, incorporating one into my logo). I just wanted to march inside and ask them if I could have one. But as with previous requests with previous fantastic Louis Vuitton window displays, I knew the answer would be no. So I did the next best thing -- I took a photograph. 

So if you have an idea for a piece of abstract art that you would like, which combines YOUR love and interests in a photograph that I take for you then mixed with my hand-painted touch, please contact me! It just might be what you need for the interior design of your home! It also makes for a wonderful and custom gift idea. :)