Denise E. Sloan, Ventura, CA
My philosophy is UNIQUE. I try to be unique in what I create and the mediums I use. I create acrylic, watercolor and pastel paintings, fine art photography from around the World, beaded jewelry design, stained glass mosaics, floral design and so much more.
BIO:
I have been an artist since an early age. Both my parents had a natural ability to draw at an early age & I acquired their gift. When I began painting, acrylic was my medium of choice. My mother and I took up the hobby of photography when I was a teen. Since I traveled across country a few times by myself (lived in N.Y. 2 summers), my camera was always with me.
I chose a Psychology degree instead of a Fine Art Education, but studied art in junior high & high school, in gifted & talented art classes. From those instructors, I gained tremendous knowledge. I started using watercolor and pastels but kept pretty true to acrylic painting as I got older. I was a Colorado native until 1998, when I moved to Santa Barbara, CA, then to Ventura, CA in 2001. I am currently unemployed from a 10 year Banking Administration career and will eventually go back to school to become an Art Therapist.
A career in art has always been my goal, but I have not exhibited until the past five years. I began exhibiting art, but went to photography after 2 years, as I traveled the World and had many great photos from those trips. I have attended shows throughout California as well as the Santa Barbara I-Madonnari Street Painting Festival, where I brush up on my pastel painting skills in a 7 foot x 7 foot space on asphalt, which can be a challenge as the weather changes so much in a day. Although it is very challenging, it is an extremely rewarding experience to create something on a large scale and have people watch you create every part of it. I also create mosaic tables, stained glass pieces, stepping stones, table fountains, jewelry, floral designs & anything that interests me at the time.
I created a balance between my career in Administration and what I was meant to do in life - help people. I hope to now do art and begin a nonprofit career full time. I was a Dream Captain for the Dream Foundation. I assist the Breast Cancer Resource Center of Santa Barbara and was a former Court Appointed Special Advocate, advocating for 3 abused/neglected siblings.
