What determines if someone is a collector?
It’s in our nature to collect.  We naturally collect all types of things like shoes, coins, antiques, etc.  Just like these items, it’s natural to collect art.  I consider a collector to be anyone that decides to acquire a piece that really speaks to them.   We encourage people to buy what you like.  If it speaks to you then it’s for you. It’s that simple.  It’s not necessarily about the number of pieces you own, but rather the thought that you put into adding to your collection.  Art collecting is addictive.  Once you hang a new piece in your home, its usually not long until you make additional purchases and the collection organically grows.
 
What are the mediums of Art?
The creativity that comes from artists is unlimited and frankly, fascinating.  With that said there are too many mediums for me to mention them individually here. For example, artists can use different types of paint (i.e. acrylic, oil, gouache), they can use different substrates like canvas or paper, they can create sculptures using clay or bronze.  The list goes on an on.  As a collector or aspiring collector, I think you have to experience these different types of mediums and understand what really resonates with you.

How did you get into photography?
I got into photography as a kid. Both of my parents used to take pictures. My mother is still a professional photographer in the Bay Area. My father used to develop his own photos in his lab in our basement. When I moved away to San Diego my mom bought me a film camera, and it was on from there.

What is your preparation process  before a shoot?
Before doing a fashion shoot, I usually listen to a lot of good deep house music and look at fashion magazines. After that I like to look at my clients existing pictures and think about what I would do differently.

What do you love to shoot and why?
I love to take fashion pictures the most. There are little or no rules when it comes to shooting them. You can be as expressive as you dare to.

How have the Arts impacted your life?
The arts have influenced me since I can remember. Music was my first love. I've sang since I was four, danced every genre that's made its way to the U.S. over the course of 14 years, and I'm fascinated by other art forms, whether visual, performing, or literary. They excite me as well as calm me, and they are the driving force behind my passion and career.

At what point did you know that you had what it took to record music?
I've always been driven and when I was little, I had a very specific vision. There were other careers that interested me, but even then I knew I was supposed to be on a stage. As I got older and developed, I realized that singing and performing comes extremely easy to me. So much so that It's easier for me to perform than it is for me to have a conversation with someone. Then, as I started encountering my own struggles in life, I lost confidence in myself and my dream. But somehow, I'd always come back to music and the way people seem to be touched by my gift. The vision, the drive, and the blessing to be able to touch people make me believe I have no choice but to record music.

How important are the Arts to our society?
The arts are an essential part of our society. It allows us to expand our minds in ways that allow for innovation and creativity to flourish. Practically, when we see society struggling with uncertain times, such as our current pandemic, we look to the arts for hope, inspiration, and sometimes, just an hour or two of escape.

How have the Arts impacted your life?
The arts have and will always continue to impact my life. I grew up in a family that made the arts - music, theater, art, photography, dance - an innate part of my daily life. I was in a boys choir as a child, participated in musical theater in high school, and became a benefactor of arts related programs as an adult. The arts are my best therapy - I love spending time getting lost in a painting, or watching a film, reading a book, or listening to a new album.