In my teenage years, after spending a year studying drawing at an atelier, I picked up my first oil painting set, eager to begin my journey with paint. But just as my excitement grew, my mentor announced they were immigrating to Canada, and my lessons came to an unexpected halt. A few years later, I set off for Paris with hopes of studying Fine Art, but life had other plans. My restless, curious young mind soon turned to Photography, and after a year at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago, I was introduced to Computer Animation. That discovery led me to complete a BFA in the Art & Technology program at SAIC, which opened the door to a career as a 3D Artist, focusing on commercials and visual effects for films.

But life shifted again. As my family grew, the fast-paced film industry in Los Angeles no longer felt compatible with the life I envisioned. I drew back to the tangible, hands-on art I had once set aside. Surrounded by the vibrant creative community and resources of LA, my passion for traditional art forms rekindled. In 2006, we moved to Portland, Oregon, where we built a small studio. There, I finally dedicated my time and energy to the practice of oil painting.