Scholastic Art Awards South Jersey Keynote Speaker

I was asked to be the Keynote Speaker for the Scholastic Art South Jersey Jersey Awards evening to be held at Appel Farm. I am so honored to be chosen to share my story and experiences with talented young artists. I am also excited to return to Appel Farm where my art career began. It feels like everything has come full circle.

I was in the first class of the Salem County Vocational Technical School's Art Academy. During my freshman year we had the opportunity to work with International Artist, Ava Blitz, to create a permanent installation at Appel Farm. We took field trips to help carve, create molds, and pour cement to construct this work of art together. It was an amazing experience. You see the artwork below and can read more about the piece by clicking here. Later, our class also had the opportunity to work with Candy DePew on a permanent installation. We worked on sculpting the large piece at Appel Farm and it was then installed over our High School's auditorium doors.

During my speech, I plan to share my life experiences with the young art award recipients. I was also asked to provide advice for the students to encourage them into creating their own career path into the arts. I will be sure to share pictures and more about the experience with you!

Photo courtesy of Ava Blitz

Looking for New Farms to Represent

As an agricultural advocate for farmers in South Jersey, I am always looking for new contacts and inspiration to photograph. I use the photographs to create original acrylic paintings and to ​promote the active agricultural community in southern New Jersey through sharing on social media and with farming agencies. You can see the collection of photographs I have taken by clicking here. If you are a farmer that would like to have your land, equipment, or operations photographed or created into a work of art, please click here to fill out the Farming Contact Form. The first 10 farmers to fill out the form will receive a free framed print (size and picture orientation is at the discretion of the artist) and a yearly calendar. All farmers will receive one free print and will be acknowledged when sharing online.

Scheese Farm, Friesburg, NJ

Wilson Brothers Farms, Daretown, NJ

Being the Child of an Entrepreneur

Today I wanted to reflect on my experience of being child of an entrepreneur and how that has helped me to realize my potential to be one as well. When I was growing up, my mom started her own candle business in the basement of our home.  When I would get home from school, I would help by wicking the candles for her to pour. Our house always smelt AMAZING. She was super busy with home parties and she would travel to Pennsylvania, Maryland, and all parts of New Jersey. As I grew older, I would accompany her on her home shows to help carry in the candles, set up, and check out customers.

As time went on she wanted a store front and I remember spending weekends with my family driving around and touring properties. When we found the perfect location, we spent the next year renovating the store and warehouse. It was so exciting to witness her opening day!

My brother, sister, and I learned so much about demolition, construction, and what it takes to make any dream a reality. A lot of parents encourage their children to be anything they want to be. But we grew up knowing we could be anything we set our minds and hands to.

Fast forward to the present and we all have followed our dreams with our own unique careers. My brother works on a professional drag racing team with aspirations of starting his own machining business. My sister is a skydive and wind tunnel instructor as well as a graphic design small business owner. And I am a certified art teacher and professional artist with my own business. I attribute our success and unique career choices to my parent's exposing us to the reality of the hard work that is required to make our dreams come true.

Were you a child of an entrepreneur? Did you also start your own business?

I'd love to hear your story!