My Story, My Journey
It’s true. I am a walking color palette and everywhere I look colors scream at me. They take me to my own world of inspiration on the spot. Did you say something? I, of course did not hear you because the colors around you have taken control of my artist’s mind and you are merely background noise. I can’t help it.Growing up between two cow farms in a rural Connecticut town made me want to do something big. Big as in something a country girl might never achieve. So I moved in with Grandma, went to university and received a Bachelors in Arts. Learning graphics without computers was quite challenging to me; the art world was only just approaching the digital era. Upon graduation, I bought my first Mac computer along with Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. But I still have my acrylics from school and I just bought my first watercolor set. These are the foundation of who I am. In school, Margaret Grimes told me my painting style was one to run with. But the idea of being a starving artist was not one I wanted to entertain.
So, I went the route of graphics, page layout and photography. And my first job was one of all three. A weekend photographer, a magazine page designer and a newspaper graphics creator.
I didn’t like the graphics so much. But I loved page design and photography. My career started at a small weekly newspaper where at one point The New Milford Times front page became The Mandrake Falls while we entertained Adam Sandler and his movie shooting crew. Swapping out the nameplate sure was a fun project.
In 1999, I was reassigned to the New Haven Register where I became the Sunday front page designer for 15 years. My days consisted of the 4 p.m. news meeting, feature cover designs and my favorite part where the photo staff taught me everything I know about photography. Ohhhhh, the hours I got to hangout with them gave me such a different view on storytelling page design. And to this day my best works combine both design and photography skills.
What can I tell you about design? Don’t automatically turn to other magazines for ideas. Reach deep into your artist’s soul and see what emerges in your pocket sketchbook. Let your ideas flow and then turn to other publications for more inspiration.
Photography? Do not try to be someone you are not. If you like photography, study it. Know what you are looking at. Understand the colors and objects you see. Break out of the automatic mode. And make friends with as many photographers as you can.
One final note. Do not show me your camera equipment. I am less than zero interested. Why? Every camera has a button, just push it! It’s your creative image I want to see.
I love photo shoots. Anything where dress up is involved.
Someone has a shoe fetish and just can’t hide it. I was caught on camera at the Fairmont Le Château Frontenac I bet security loved this one!
My reflective self-portrait I worked on for a weekly 52Frames challenge.
My traveling lover, Pato, sporting his Scala hat and a guayabera.
Read all about our epic journey to Aruba in search of the perfect wedding photos here…
My Story, My Journey
It’s true. I am a walking color palette and everywhere I look colors scream at me. They take me to my own world of inspiration on the spot. Did you say something? I, of course did not hear you because the colors around you have taken control of my artist’s mind and you are merely background noise. I can’t help it.Growing up between two cow farms in a rural Connecticut town made me want to do something big. Big as in something a country girl might never achieve. So I moved in with Grandma, went to university and received a Bachelors in Arts. Learning graphics without computers was quite challenging to me; the art world was only just approaching the digital era. Upon graduation, I bought my first Mac computer along with Indesign, Photoshop and Illustrator. But I still have my acrylics from school and I just bought my first watercolor set. These are the foundation of who I am. In school, Margaret Grimes told me my painting style was one to run with. But the idea of being a starving artist was not one I wanted to entertain.
So, I went the route of graphics, page layout and photography. And my first job was one of all three. A weekend photographer, a magazine page designer and a newspaper graphics creator.
I didn’t like the graphics so much. But I loved page design and photography. My career started at a small weekly newspaper where at one point The New Milford Times front page became The Mandrake Falls while we entertained Adam Sandler and his movie shooting crew. Swapping out the nameplate sure was a fun project.
In 1999, I was reassigned to the New Haven Register where I became the Sunday front page designer for 15 years. My days consisted of the 4 p.m. news meeting, feature cover designs and my favorite part where the photo staff taught me everything I know about photography. Ohhhhh, the hours I got to hangout with them gave me such a different view on storytelling page design. And to this day my best works combine both design and photography skills.
What can I tell you about design? Don’t automatically turn to other magazines for ideas. Reach deep into your artist’s soul and see what emerges in your pocket sketchbook. Let your ideas flow and then turn to other publications for more inspiration.
Photography? Do not try to be someone you are not. If you like photography, study it. Know what you are looking at. Understand the colors and objects you see. Break out of the automatic mode. And make friends with as many photographers as you can.
One final note. Do not show me your camera equipment. I am less than zero interested. Why? Every camera has a button, just push it! It’s your creative image I want to see.