At the age of three there was a mother's day gift fair at the Children's Garden Montessori School. I wanted to return home with a gift for my mother, so she lovingly gave me two dollars so I could buy her a gift. Of all the knick knacks offered, for some reason, on my own I was drawn to two bangle bracelets which to this day she still owns. Throughout elementary school, I proceeded to make simple jewelry pieces for my mother. Hind sight is 20/20, but never did I think that later in life, jewelry would become my obsession and career.
Constructing, fabrication and creating has been a focus of mine. Art classes in elementary and high school further developed my artistic ability. For the rank of Eagle Scout, I repainted the interior of a women's shelter and added a mural in their kitchen. Attending San Diego State University was a pivotal time in my life that solidified art as the path I would follow. I studied Mechanical Engineering for the initial part of my education, taking drawing and painting classes for a release from all the math and science. Eventually I became so immersed in painting, drawing, and graphic design that I switched to fine arts all together. Remembering the early jewelry pieces from childhood, my parents encouraged me to try a jewelry design class. That was it, I had found my life's calling. Shortly after becoming obsessed with jewelry design and metal smithing classes, I graduated with my Bachelor of Arts degree.
It has now been two years and I share a space at an amazing jewelry studio with five master jewelers in Downtown San Diego, Ca. I could not have asked for better artists to work with, everyday is a new learning experience, and life just keeps getting better with every new creation.