My life began in the beautiful island of Hispaniola located in the Caribbean. I was born and raised in Santo Domingo, Dominican republic, to a wonderfully loud family consisting of my parents and 2 older siblings. As the baby of the bunch, I received a lot of love, nurture, and protection from day one. My parents raised my sister, brother, and I in the gospel of Jesus Christ. This has given me the opportunity to not only know about God, but build my own relationship with him as my creator and celestial father. This love motivates me to share it with others and serve them in anyway I can.
As far back as I can recall my memories, I’ve always been fascinated by shape, color, lines, form, and movements of all things natural and man-made. Whether it was moving drawings on a TV screen (also known as cartoons), murals on the outside of schools in my neighborhood, or sunlight peeking through the leaves and flowers of a tree: it all captivated me. As a child I would often quietly contemplate the feeling of awe and excitement that admiring things around me would bring my soul. Yet I couldn’t explain it. I had no one to share my thoughts with, because no one seemed to experience what I did. Years later I learned that all these creations were called “ART” and I finally had a title to attach to my identity when grownups asked the inevitable question: “What do you want to be when you grow up?”
Artist. “I’m going to be an Artist!” I proudly stated and talked about to anyone who would listen. Art hasn’t always been a welcomed topic as ‘career of choice’ in my family; I spent 3 years in college fully committed to a science path in Neuropsychology, including research development and published studies. However, my heart and soul longed to be back in a studio working on the next project and learning new skills from other creatives. So after some time off, I was ready to wrap up my last year of university and make it the best one. I left California and transferred to my dream school in Ashland, Oregon. Leaving all the science aside (yet incorporating it in my pieces), I went back to studying every medium I could and graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Studio Art.
If you take a look at my resume, it doesn’t have many titles in the creative field listed on it. It was easier to display my communication skills in order to attain job security fresh out of college. So I did just that, and have worn many hats in the corporate/educational world. Even though creativity always plays a role in any work I do, I didn’t always have the confidence to pursue art as a full time gig until recently. Yet I’ve always used this gift in all the phases of my life: whether it’s work, home, church, community, family, or travel. My hands are always busy with a camera, an iPad, a paintbrush, clay, or dirt from the garden.
Another epiphany I’ve experienced in this journey of creativity is having children of my own. Nothing will make you think about creation like growing another human being and raising them with purpose, intention, and love. Becoming a mother has taught me so much: especially to make my dreams a priority and work hard to attain my personal goals! If I can be authentic to myself, I can be a living example to my kids that nothing is too far fetched. I strive to teach them that dreams aren’t always easy, but if they have value, then it’s worth the effort.
Trust in God, hard work, determination, love of self and others, discipline, and getting up after life knocks you down: the recipe for success!
2009: Once I completed High School, it was an easy transition from homeschooling to community college.
2010: I bought my very first camera, a Nikon D3000, and began learning more about photography through college courses and volunteer work in my church and community.
2011: Transferred to a state university in California to pursue a degree in Neuropsychology, while still taking art classes as electives.
2012: Co-founded a nonprofit organization with my sister and began mission work abroad in Haiti and Dominican Republic.
2014: Unfortunately, I reached college burnout and took some time off of school to realign myself and figure out what I truly wanted to in life.
2015: Transferred to my dream university in Southern Oregon, completed another 10-12 art courses and lived my best college year in history!
2016: Graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Studio Art.
2016: Started out in the career world as a Recruiter for my university, traveling in the west coast and meeting lots of people. Took advantage of the opportunity and photographed every new place I encountered.
2017: In the midst of a career change, I welcomed my eldest daughter into this world and gained the title of “mami”.
2018: Continued to work in the field of education and tried to get a photography business started on the side.
2020: We all know this year… Global anxiety and mental health crisis. However, an opportunity arose to build an art studio. Materials for painting, ceramics, sculpture, photography, welding, woodwork, crafting: the works!
2021: Life changes once again, pushing me to grow and adapt to the unfamiliar. It’s now or never to fight for what matters.
2022: This year brings a relocation from the Pacific Northwest in Oregon to the south in Oklahoma. Excellent time to fully launch myself as an entrepreneur and build my dream business: Guventure Art.
20?? – My faith rests in Jesus Christ. I trust he will guide me in the purpose of this life. I will continue to create, loving others along the way, blessing anyone I can. Stay tuned!
Owner and founder of Guventure Art. Tulsa, Oklahoma 2022. Photo credit – Jill Simons
My first camera: Nikon D3000. Redding, California 2010.
My first mission trip to Haiti. Anse-a-Pitres 2013.
More work on the border of Pedernales and Anse-a-Pitres. Haiti 2014.
Mission work back home on my island. Banane, Haiti 2021.