I used those skills as a store planner for companies including Wherehouse Records and JC Penney's.
Disenchanted with the transition from drawing & drafting to computer generated planning in my chosen field, I searched for a more "hands on career."
I went back to school and majored in childhood education, which enabled me to work with children with special needs. That led to work as a behavioral therapist working with children with autism. During this time, my beloved brother, Richard, suffering from a rare, terminal, genetic disease called adrenomylenopathy ALM (see http://myelin.org for more information) passed away. He left us on the Day of the Dead, the colorful Latin holiday celebrating those who have died.
The death of my brother reawakened the artist in me. I was drawn to rich colors, bold shapes & forkloric themes.
In memory of my brother, I began creating Day of the Dead art pieces. I was also inspired to paint portraits of Frida Kahlo. Like Richard, she suffered much physical pain with dignity & creative joy.
This journey of self-discovery led me to look inward with clarity and determination to truly celebrate myself. I transitioned from female to male in 2002.
My art reflects those journeys through pain to joy & celebrates life, death & rebirth.
Much of my jewelry features colorful beadwork with diverse spiritual images including Buddha, the Om symbol, Celtic symbols and the Greenman.
My work has been shown at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center during the TransUnity Transcending Boundaries celebration in 2010 (A pride celebration for the transgender community).
My art was on display at the San Leandro Parks and Recreation Winter festival in 2011.
Select pieces of my art and my spiritual necklace line are for sale at Who's Your Betty Boutique in Rockridge-Oakland, CA, 5517 College Ave, Oakland, CA 94618, (510) 597-9897
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