ArtJiuJitsuLife

I met Jiu Jitsu by accident. In early 2016 I had been in Conditioning classes, after over a decade of no sports and zero activity, and felt I had plateaued. I needed something harder to push myself in and that's when I began to notice the people in Jiu Jitsu classes on the other mats--looking exhausted. I said to myself, I want to try that.

My first class I learned a Scissor Sweep and it made me curious, so I came back the next day. And the next, and the next. Curiosity turned to interest, interest to ability, ability into passion, passion to obsession, and obsession into lifestyle.

Educated in Fine Art at NSCAD and ECUAD with a background in Anatomy and Figure Drawing, I went through many stages and phases in my Art but nothing really clicked until I met Jiu Jitsu. In demos I would find myself drifting off to admire a hand gesture, or folds of the Gi thinking, “I should draw that”. One day I snuck in when my new pals were rolling, took some photos and I had no idea that drawing would be the beginning of my new life as an Artist and where it would take me.

Outside of Institutional settings, I have been mentored by amazing people in the arts who have taught me the craft of frame building, canvas stretching, running a studio, online business and marketing. All these folks have had a hand in my development and continue to do so, even if they have passed on.

2020 was a breakthrough year for my small business and I am committed to the growth of my shop for all those who share that same passion for training or have loved ones that do. Drawn to its integrity, grit and energy, Grappling has changed my Art and my Life for the better and I can't imagine pursuing anything else. Training is a mindset, a modality for healing, a place to share our frustrations and accomplishments and it is this holistic experience with a Sport that I seek to express in my paintings and drawings.