I pursued my love for art and attended a private high school for a brief time to take advantage of their college preparatory art program with the intention of continuing my studies in college. This is where my art journey abruptly halted for 12 years. Like many artists, I did not have the familial support as being an artist was not seen as a viable career. I was encouraged to pursue a “real” career that provided more financial stability. This is when I decided to pursue my second love of working with children who struggled with emotional wounding. I received a Bachelor of Science degree in Early Childhood Development and a Master of Science degree in Family Studies leading me to practice as a Child and Family Therapist.
In 2002, newly married, I was enjoying all the creative aspects of designing and building a home. To my surprise, this reignited my fire and passion to start painting with an intensity that I could not ignore. I had a very stable and successful career as a therapist which allowed me to, on a whim with no formal art training or experience, open an art business.
In 2003, La Bella Decorative Finishes was born. It grew very quickly allowing me to quit my full-time job as a therapist to paint and raise my two boys. The success of my art business afforded me opportunities to showcase my work in home shows, to write design articles, to have artwork published, and to participate as an artist designing and painting decorative finishes and artistry on walls and ceilings for a lifestyle television show.
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