Today we’d like to introduce you to Summer Breeze.
Hello Summer Breeze, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
Growing up, I found creative expression as a means to escape the chaos of my daily life. During high school, I took a photography class and that changed my perspective of the world. Photography became a way of life which inspired me to further study art and psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz. My main focus was empowering the female body in its most natural state through digital and film photography. I took a multitude of other art classes but really fell in love with painting. It allowed me to express a more intimate and emotional part of me. After graduating from college, I moved into the corporate world at a private equity firm and put art on the back burner for a few years. During the midst of the pandemic, I reignited my spark for creativity and realized my true passion is making art. While working a full-time job, I am slowly building my art career in my nights and weekends.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
My journey has been a series of overcoming of hurdles. I was raised by a single father which involves its own set of struggles raising a daughter. My mom wasn’t really present growing up. Both parents suffered from alcoholism so needless to say, I had to do a lot of my own parenting. School became my outlet and I strove to get the best grades so I could go away to college. In 2012, I got accepted to the University of California, Santa Cruz and that began a new chapter where I felt I could finally be of the toxic environment I was raised in. In 2013, my dad went to prison. It was really rough emotionally, but staying focused on my studies and making art was how I coped. Fast forward to 2020, the height of the pandemic – my marriage ended due to infidelity, which brought me right back to art. Although there has been a lot of pain and struggles in my story, I wouldn’t be who I am today without them.
I’ve learned that a burden and a blessing look quite similar depending on where you are sitting. I take my burdens and let my heart pour them out into art. It’s been truly a blessing to experience struggle, heartbreak, and the lows of life. When you fully break down, you get the opportunity to put the pieces back together however you want. You get to grow through what you go through. I believe you are the creator and designer of your life. The artist. Your cracks and crevices are the fine details in the canvas of your life.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I am a San Diego-based artist known for my bold, contemporary paintings that depict a feeling, experience, or lesson learned. My artwork mainly consists of bright acrylics and resin where I create prominent expressions with abstract layers. I use these artistic methods to emulate my muse – emotions. My paintings evoke a perspective shift and allow the viewer to reflect and look within.
My work always comes with a message and I am so proud that with the small audience I do have, that they feel the energy that comes with every piece.
How do you define success?
To me, success is when your cup is overflowing and it graciously pours over into the lives of others.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.summerbreezeart.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/summerbreeze.art/
