Art has always been a part of my life, from as far back as I can remember I have had an interest in drawing and painting. So it was pretty much a no-brainer for me and anyone that knew me that somehow art would be a huge factor in my future.
I was born on April 15th 1983 (The same day as Leonardo Di Vinci, thanks mom!) In Bulawayo, Zimbabwe but lived with my parents and older brother in Lusaka, Zambia. When it came time for me to go to high school, my parents decided to send me to the same school as my older brother - Lomagundi College - situated in Chinhoyi, Zimbabwe, 5 hours away from home and across an international border.
It was definitely during these years that I grew the most as an artist. Encouraged constantly by teachers, friends and my ever supportive family, I was able to spend hours developing my skills and learning as much as I could about art and all it has to offer. It was also during my last two years at Lomagundi College that I and some of my class mates had the opportunity to work with renowned wildlife artist Craig Bone. Once a week, while everyone else was locked in their respective hostels, our small group of aspiring artists was able to head to the art room and pick apart Craig’s brain.
I graduated from Lomagundi College in 2001 with my ‘A’ level certificate and went on to spend two years back in my home town of Lusaka, Zambia. I spent the majority of those two years trying to take the things that I had learned from Craig and apply them to my own developing artistic style. I also spent that time desperately trying to get a scholarship to a college or university in the U.S. And eventually it happened.
In June of 2003 my mom and I spent a tearful moment I will never forget as we received my I-20 in the mail - my ticket to a University degree! I had been offered a track and field scholarship to the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff. That August I found myself in Pine Bluff, Arkansas, no doubt looking like the little lost African that I felt like! 4 years later in May of 2007 I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Art Education. I now work part time on my artwork at home in Little Rock, Arkansas and part time as an assistant field hockey coach at Hendrix College in Conway, Arkansas.
