In 1998, I graduated from Kutztown University with a BFA in Studio Art (concentration in photography). I have been a commercial artist, a communication arts instructor (drawing, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, HTML/CSS, etc.), a bartender, a waitress, a prep cook, a board level tester of automotive telematics, and a full-fledged cook in the time since I graduated. I enjoyed certain aspects of these jobs, but not one ascended to the level of a true profession in my heart of hearts. I feel that I've been an underachiever in a vocational sense, and have come to realize that this tendency is both selfish and indulgent on my part. Out of insecurity and a lack of certainty, I avoided a return to formal education for several years. Over a year ago, I came to the conclusion that I had to leap out of the comfort zone of the frying pan and gleefully into the fire. Over the next few months, I will be taking the classes that are needed to prepare for my application to a college of nursing, which would later be pursued at graduate levels (NP, CRNA, and DNSc).
To a great extent, my visual arts portfolio is here and available for your perusal. It is located, along with some other photos, in the Pics section.
Trivia:
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I scored a 92% on the PA EMT-Basic exam.
I have been a vegetarian since October 1995. I was a lacto-ovo vegetarian initially, but my dairy & egg intake steadily dwindled to nil over a period of a few years. I've never felt better!
I officially declared myself a vegan in October 2005. I celebrated this event at the truly superb Moosewood Restaurant.
For a period of a few years, I considered the pursuit of training in the culinary and pastry arts, but nursing is more about what I enjoy focusing upon: health, a fulfilling diet, and quality of life.
I considered medical school, but have very serious concerns about the issues of time, sleep deprivation, and monumental debt.
I enjoy the continual processes of learning to cook and bake.
I am trained as a visual artist, and will always be one.
As a child, I was not given coloring books. I carried books, sketchbooks, and pencils nearly everywhere that I went. I was always the quiet child who sat reading, painting, or drawing.
I'm possessed by sarcasm. I've tried holy water. It did nothing.
I love bread. I love it a bit too much. I'm working on this.
Ancestry: Irish, Scottish (Clan Bell), Welsh, English, French, German, Swiss, Dutch, and Native American (Lenne Lenape).
Due to an ocular condition that developed in my childhood, I have one near-sighted eye and one far-sighted eye. Both are blue.
I've broken three bones in this lifetime. I didn't have the smallest toe on my right foot x-rayed, I just know it was broken.
My grandmother played with Thomas Edison's children, and babysat Paul Lynde as a teenager. She spoke several languages, thought in Latin, and translated her thoughts to English to speak.
My Dutch ancestors once owned the deed to Wall St., New York, NY, but lost the deed when it burned in an accidental fire.
I am addicted to: shoes, books, plain green tea, IKEA furniture & crazy Swedish widgets, guitars, and jazz on CD.
I listen almost exclusively to instrumental jazz when I write.
I have two tattoos. Yes, it hurt. Yes, I'd do it all over again if it came to that. Yes, there are photos here, how nice of you to ask.
I enjoy Kustom Kulture iconography, and wish to one day have my Integra "flamed" with blue metallic paint (base coat is black).
I was an extra in an educational film about head lice as a child.
I was an extra in the Johnny Knoxville movie "The Ringer," in TX.
I have a pet-peeve regarding people who say "addicting" when they should say "addictive."