Meet The V.A.A.S. Team

Since the 3rd Grade, I've been immersed in the world of the Visual Arts, sparked by my Uncle's influence and my early love for drawing. My educational journey began at Gutermuth Elementary school in Cloverleaf Acres, Louisville, KY. During my time there, my third-grade art teacher saw potential and encouraged my mother to enroll me in extracurricular Visual Art classes. These classes remained a consistent part of my life throughout middle school. Supported by various educators and mentors, I continued to pursue a creative path in the subsequent years.

Upon entering Seneca High School, teacher Cecilia Ridge played a pivotal role in motivating and guiding me toward furthering my education. She was instrumental in my acceptance and scholarship to the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD). At SCAD, I successfully completed my Bachelor of Fine Arts (with Magna Cum Laude honors), focusing on Illustration, and later pursued a Master of Fine Arts with a concentration in Sequential Art. My journey at SCAD was enriched by the guidance and wisdom of exceptional artists and mentors, including Jorge Alvarez, Michael Cummings, Phil Young, and many others.

During my time at SCAD, I formed a profound and enduring friendship with Thomas, and together, we envisioned a dream of imparting knowledge and passion for creativity to others. Our aspiration has always been to pass on the artistic legacy we've received from our mentors. Central to our hearts is a deep desire to inspire individuals to EXPLORE the creative visual arts, to aid them in DEVELOPING their skills and knowledge, and to assist in the CREATION of remarkable experiences and works of art.

This collective journey has now culminated in The Visual Arts Academy and Studio. We are eager and thrilled for you to EXPLORE, DEVELOP, and CREATE your own skills, talents, and masterpieces in the world of art.

Born in Costa Rica to a professional dancer mother and art enthusiast father, I was introduced early on to the multifaceted and infinitely varied world of the creative arts. My grandparents also passed on their design, art and business talents which I believe was key for VAAS to come to fruition seamlessly today. 

I have always been curious about how lines come together to form shapes, how colors are expressed in nature and how composition engages the eye of the beholder. From my first paintings as a young child to the invaluable years of formation at the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), the visual arts have been at the center of my life journey.

After college I began mentoring high schoolers who wanted to send an art portfolio to apply for university and/or college. This was the pivotal moment that gave me perspective on the ongoing need that Seth and I experienced as teenagers; having natural talent at a young age is a gift, but it needs to be harnessed, sharpened and directed by trustworthy mentors. Our dream and goal at VAAS is to bridge instinct, talent and vision with professional guidance, inspirational courses and creative experiences.

Bio coming soon!

I love the process of creation, the beauty of having a vision and bringing it to life, the ability to tell a story through visual expression. I believe we are all storytellers at heart, whether through our imagination, written words, spoken tales, visual art, or physical expressions. Remember where your imagination could take you as child, but as we get older we seem to create borders around our imagination based on limitations we think we have, and we no longer allow ourselves to get lost in the art of the possible. That was me, only I wasn’t lost in the possible, I was lost in plausible.

I am passionate about creativity and storytelling, but I lack traditional artistic talents, so that creativity had nowhere to go. For two decades now both Seth and Thomas have both encouraged me to “just put pencil to paper”. So I would, and it would look like my 3-year-old drew it. I can hear Thomas in my ear now “hone your skills through consistent practice, learning from both successes and failures”. Despite my lack of talent however, Seth has always been a source of consistent inspiration “explore your interests”… “embrace experimentation”… “don’t fear the output”… “let authenticity and passion guide your creative journey”. My artistic capability today – not any different from two decades ago – but that’s what happens when you get lost in the plausible rather than the possible.

VAAS is a two decade long vision between “brothers” that has come to life, with a purpose to inspire people, spark passion, develop proficiency, and craft possibility. I think VAAS likely means something different for each of us. For Seth it is his creation, the canvas for which the palette of his life has prepared him for, and while he may not know it yet, VAAS will be his finest masterpiece. For Thomas it is his passion made available to all to experience and embrace. For Michelle it’s more than an academy or studio, it’s an exploration for her imagination to take shape. For me, it’s simple, VAAS is “the art of the possible”.

I have been drawing as long as I can remember. From early in my life, I have loved the magic of
capturing the imagination with only a few pencil lines or brush strokes. My family saw my
artistic gifts when I was young and encouraged me to pursue this path. They took me to art
classes, pushed me to practice creating, and gave me the materials I needed to succeed.
When I was in elementary school, I was introduced to comic book art and I was immediately
enthralled. I spent countless hours sitting at the dining room table learning the techniques of
anatomy, perspective, and storytelling. I soon came up with my own superhero characters and
began telling stories through art.

After high school, I decided to pursue a life of art. I was accepted to the Ontario College of Art
and Design (OCAD) in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. This education pushed me further in
developing my skills in realistic drawing, design, and illustration. I was introduced to the great
artists of history and became fascinated with the classical techniques. I learned about the
major art movements and began exploring the possibilities of abstraction and experimental
expression. My art expanded to not only include sequential storytelling and realistic drawing
but also geometric abstraction and conceptual art.
 

My goal since college has been to live a creative life devoted to truth and beauty. Over the
years, I have been fortunate to be involved with various artistic commissions and publish my
own graphic novels, but my true joy has been found in simply creating to bless others and
promote beauty in the world.

I am excited to be a part of VAAS! I look forward to investing in the artistic lives of others. My
goal is to inspire and mentor people to deepen their love for art and bring their skills and
giftings to a level beyond their expectations.

I am a local Louisville Artist, Mother, and Jill-of-all-trades. I have great love for each art medium but Watercolor will always hold a special place at the top of my heart. I am proudly self-taught with no formal training, but instead have developed my artistic skills through experimentation, observation, repetition, and engagement within the art community. I take inspiration from other profoundly acclaimed self-taught artists such as Max Ernst, Frida Kahlo, and Jean-Michel Basquiat. 

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For over ten years, I have passed along my knowledge and passion of art to people from all walks of life. In the studio with me, you are safe to be yourself and encouraged to discover more about the unique individual that you are. 

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I have experience teaching all ages and find great joy and satisfaction in adapting art lessons to fit the needs of my students. My purpose as an instructor is that whomever I take under my artistic wing will learn to fly away feeling belief in themselves and independence in their abilities, and all that they can accomplish.

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Art is important. I believe that art exists to comfort those who are struggling, it can provide emotional release and a strong sense of belonging. Art can offer hope and understanding, particularly for those who may feel unheard and misunderstood. Art gives the freedom to express oneself, it gives the powerful opportunity to allow others a glimpse of our minds and our emotions. It grants us permission to question and ponder over what life may be like for another human. Art is special. 

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I am passionate about teaching others what I know and have studied for over 15 years. I’m thrilled to be teaching at The Visual Arts Academy and Studio, and pleased to be able to strengthen this already welcoming community. VAAS is for everyone, I encourage you to discover if VAAS is for you.

Ever since I was little, I have always been an artistic person, but it wasn’t until I saw the painting “Angel Standing in the Sun” by J.M.W Turner that I thought of art as a skill and not just a hobby, a career and not just something to do on the weekends. Art has become a part of who I am, and I love that I get to now share it with students and other artists. 

As an army brat I have been all around the US. From the shores of Honolulu to the Rocky Mountains of Denver, I will always be inspired by where I have lived and where I’m going next. I love all things antique and am particularly fond of old houses.