How did you first get involved with ASLD and when?
In a transitional part of my life, I found myself thinking about the things that I cared about and the way I spent my time.  I realized that, despite art being a significant part of my early years and my caring about it, I had shaped a life that didn’t involve creating any art.  So, after a very long hiatus from doing anything creative, I turned to the Art Students League of Denver in 2013.  

 

How has ASLD shaped you as an artist?
My work life of owning and operating an ice cream business and a cocktail bar, Sweet Action and Retrograde, regularly requires me to make design decisions.  From working with a packaging design team to painting a mural about our brand myth, a surprising amount of my work falls in the realm of applied art.  What nurtures my ability to take on these projects is having ASLD as a forum to practice the elements of design and create in a more free form manner.  In addition, ASLD has offered me a smorgasbord of opportunities to learn new artistic disciplines like jewelry design and sewing. 

 

What faculty members have you taken courses with as ASLD?
I’ve taken courses taught by Homare Ikeda, Jeff Wenzel, Kim Harrell and Vicky Nolan.  I’ve also dropped in on the open figure study sessions and attended a few of the artists professional development sessions.  The knowledge and support provided by the faculty  have been amazing.  Beyond the techniques they’ve taught me, I’ve learned a lot from experiencing the unique ways that each of them see and approach art. 

 

What do you like about the ASLD community?
I love that the ASLD community is a diverse group of supportive individuals.  I’ve met people of all ages from different walks of life at ASLD and it has been energizing to join around our common desire to explore the visual world.   

 

Anything else you want to share with us?
The ASLD programs are easy to jump in and out of depending on your time availability and interests.  There aren’t too many prerequisites and the faculty design their courses so that there’s flexibility to explore a specific interest or project if you have one.  Give it a try!  The classes are a lot of fun and they will change the way you see things.