Cue the Rocky music, this one's all about training

I started my art education as most kids do: finger painting; coloring with crayons; using whatever I could to create art. But when most kids would read or play games, I would go in my room and draw. When other kids were taking swim, dance or soccer classes, I was the kid taking art classes. It's not that I didn't play or hang out with my friends. I did. But I was most comfortable creating.  

I am incredibly fortunate that my parents tuned in on that passion of mine and encouraged it.  Granted, it helps that my dad is an architect (on vacations my dad and I would go off somewhere and draw the landscape together) and that both of my parents love art.  

After high school I went to a small liberal arts college for two years before I realized I really needed to be in a more art centered program. So off to SAIC I went.  After graduation, I headed to New York City.  Was there more training after that? Sure, but it's not what you'd expect at all. I got a Masters Degree in Social Work. What? Yep. THAT training informed my work in ways I am only just beginning to understand.  What I do know is that my work pre-MSW was random. Sometimes it was political, sometimes it was personal, but it was always all over the place. Post-MSW, my work became more about relationships (the birds) and about offering the viewer a moment of peace (the landscapes).  Even though I'm not using my MSW in a traditional sense, I'm very grateful for having it and how it has helped shape my art in a way I never would have known.

I'm curious to see what the rest of my training will be...