| Melissa |

My artistic creativity started when I was a child, as it did for many people. My mom gave me the tools I needed to become something great–not through money or possessions, but by pushing me to use what I had to create my own happiness.

My first artistic creation involved the use of puff paint. Yup…I was definitely a child of the 80s.  I needed to bring an article of clothing to school to use as an art smock for art class. So, Mom pulled out an old button shirt and we got to work puff-painting the best art smock any child could own. My art teacher was absolutely in love with my art smock. I felt a sense of accomplishment, and I felt as if I made something that really mattered to somebody else. That feeling was one of the most valuable things I had taken from my childhood. I proudly wore that art smock all through grade school.

I continued creating art over the years, typically doodling on napkins and scrap pieces of paper. Several pieces of my artwork from school were entered in the county fair, from which I regularly brought home first place ribbons. After graduating high school, I went on to become an Emergency Medical Technician and enjoyed that for 12 years.

Around 2005 or so, I began capturing the things around me through film, not only to show the pleasant aspects of the world, but the tragic ones as well. I frequently combine photographs with paintings or drawings to form single pieces of art. I love playing around with textures. My style is mainly contemporary with a love for the city life. I love to create abstract pieces based on sounds and emotions, which typically happens while listing to Folk or Indie music. That is not to say that I do not completely idolize music legends such as Frank Sinatra and Stevie Nicks!

My friends call me dedicated, funny, and spontaneous. I live my life with no regrets, and believe I have become the person I am today because of the things I have endured. My life has thrown me massive hurdles, but I embrace life fully. My best escape from reality is by making art.

| Randy |

I lost my dad in 2016 to an aneurysm.  He had been a welder and machinist all his life, and over the years had accumulated quite a bit of material and equipment.  I brought home a box full of metal parts after my dad passed away.  I was not sure exactly what to do with it.  I dumped it out on my workbench – and sat there and bawled my eyes out.  I stared at the parts and pieces, not realizing that they began falling together as a motorcycle.

I have been riding motorcycles for eons.  It is where I go and where my mind goes to escape stress, sadness, and anything that is weighing me down.  It seemed to fit.  What I was left with after the fog lifted was a large motorcycle weighing 22 pounds 13 ounces – completely made of materials from Dad’s shop!  I am not sure that I could ever sell that piece.  It is part of my dad that helped bring out the inner artist in me…and the beginning of something great.

I now look at metal in a whole new light – not for what it is, but rather how I can recreate something special with it.  My dad taught me so many things about metal that I carry with me every day.  He always told me that when I make something, I should make it to last and be proud to put my name on it.  I don’t consider myself an artist (yet), but I am married to someone who is and who has inspired me to look at my inner creativeness.  We support each other and build off each other’s energy.  I look at the art I am now creating and still cannot believe some of my designs!

My dad will always hold a spot in my heart and will be with me every step of this wonderful journey.  I miss my hero so much…