Twice I’ve fallen out of love with art, yet here I stand, rekindling the flame. This reflection captures the emotional twists and turns of my journey as an artist. Each time I fell out of love with art, it was a stepping stone leading me to where I am now—a live wedding painter.
First Time’s a Charm
The first time I fell out of love with art was around age 14 when I discovered that my early works from ages 7 to 12 were no longer accessible. It was my first brush with detachment, a fleeting moment where my muse slipped from my grasp. At the same time, I was deeply into fashion, and it felt like a sign to shift my focus.
After six years of art school, immersed in foundational studies like landscapes and still lifes, I found it uninspiring. My passion for fashion design grew, so I attended a magnet high school with a design focus. This change was exactly what my soul needed. Looking back, this first transition was a blessing in disguise. Had I attended a standard art magnet high school, I might have ended up pursuing abstract art or even quitting altogether after a decade.
Building on Past Experiences
In my 20s, my artistic journey continued to evolve. I dabbled in the Miami art scene, enjoying creating art but not feeling deeply passionate about it. What I truly loved was traveling along the East Coast to work on murals and tattoos. These experiences enriched my skills and prepared me for handling unexpected challenges, especially on the road.
Second Time’s a Charm
By my 30s, I realized it was time to focus on one skill and let go of anything that didn’t ignite my soul. Fashion design, especially with a focus on sustainable practices, became my new purpose. As if guided by divine hands, the loss of my work from 2007 - 2021 became a whispered sign from God, marking the end of an era.. Instead of seeing it as a redirection of my artwork’s message, I saw it as the end of my art journey.
During my decade as a tattoo artist, I became a key player at art shows, handling not just my own work but also taking on extra clients, which improved my speed and adaptability. Later, I worked with Ephemeral, a temporary tattoo startup, and eventually moved on to luxury fashion. However, even as I progressed, I found myself increasingly drawn to more refined, opulent environments, but still feeling unfulfilled.
Third Time’s Definitely a Charm
Shortly after finding my footing in luxury fashion, I felt a calling from God to leave and return to art. But at this point, I had lost all connection to it and was solely focused on fashion. I had intentionally pushed art away to avoid distractions, because the nature of an artist is inherently multidisciplinary. The art world is vast, and niching down can feel like a disservice to discovery. But God had a different plan.
He helped me transition from being a muralist, tattoo artist, animator, designer, body painter, makeup artist, and hairstylist to becoming a live wedding painter. It wasn’t something I had planned, but only He could see the full picture of my love for art and beauty and distill it into this singular role.
Live wedding painting differs from being a multidisciplinary artist because it is centrally focused and allows for growth in mastery. My offers are very limited and standard, which sharpens my aim and deepens my skill in one field. Unlike before, where my ventures were scattered, this focus allows me to paint more than ever and, more importantly, with purpose. I am no longer all over the place, trying to balance multiple disciplines that left me feeling unfulfilled. Instead, live wedding painting has given me a clear direction.
Mastery and Fulfillment
My shift from being a multidisciplinary artist to a live wedding painter wasn’t something I could have envisioned. I always thought being multidisciplinary was the way to go, but through this transition, I’ve realized that specialization doesn't mean limiting myself—it means mastering something truly fulfilling.
In my 20s, my indecisiveness allowed me to explore various paths, but this also meant becoming skilled in many areas without mastering any one thing. I’ve always appreciated the phrase “Jack of all trades, master of none.” I would replace "Jack" with "Shiva" and resonate with the idea of developing many skills. Mastery, to me, has always been more than just skill—it’s a journey of legacy, where each stroke leaves a lasting imprint, echoing through time.
When I think of master artists like Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci, true mastery feels like an ongoing process that extends beyond one’s lifetime. It’s not just about technical skill—it’s about pushing boundaries and contributing to the legacy of your craft.
Finding My Voice
In this third phase of my journey, I’ve found my truest voice as an artist by becoming the ideal version of my singular embodiment—a live wedding painter. This path has allowed me to focus on creating romantic, meaningful artwork that reflects my love for beautiful people, experiences, and the Creator of all things beautiful GOD. Live wedding painting has become my sanctuary, where passion and beauty intertwine, each canvas a testament to love’s unfolding story, and every stroke, a step closer to mastery.