The beginning

Being born and raised in the Rust Belt has been the best thing that could have ever happened to me. I think of it as a special place: four seasons, beautiful landscapes, and a mix of cities that are on the rise and those that are thriving. After going to school and being formally trained in landscape architecture, I was able to learn and grow to understand this place on a deeper level. The Rust Belt offers more the longer you stay here. You begin to see it and understand it. It takes a certain type of person to appreciate its beauty. Above all, it takes time to really begin to see the beauty that this place has to offer. Those who live here or those who appreciate and understand the Rust Belt find beauty in the rusty, in the broken down, and in the dirty. We can see what was once there and how incredible it once was. We can also see what it can do for us in the future. The rust belt forces you to stop, look, and think. It is not all on the cover, you have to dig in, really read it, and find the beauty that lies within all of its pages.

Starting Rust Belt Artistry came out of the growing affinity I have with the Rust Belt. I’ve come to realize that this place is home. It will forever be home. I want to be able to showcase this amazing place that truly means the world to me. Rust Belt Artistry is doing exactly that, trying to articulate and share the beauty of this amazing place on earth. I am trying to do this in ways that makes the most sense to me, in ways that I explore creativity and passion. Looking at the categories in which I am exploring this passion are photography, art, and design.

Photography first - Photographs to me can take a person to another place, another time, they can be transported to an image when they see it. This is what I want my photographs to do, I want those who have them in their homes to look at them and be taken out of reality for a moment, to be taken to a place that isn’t where their feet are, to take a breath and be somewhere else for just a short moment.

Next we take a look at Art and Design together - Going to design school I gained a depth of knowledge in art and design across a wide range of aspects. Being able to hone my artistic skills has allowed me to find a passion in creation. I feel most at home when I am being creative. I am ready to share that passion with anyone and everyone through this project. Being able to take ideas from my own and your head and make it into a reality is something that I thoroughly enjoy. Working with people and taking their creative energy and ideas to create something beautiful is an incredible thing to experience. That is what Rust Belt Artistry is about. Using my passion for creation to inspire moments for people to enjoy and keep forever.

This journey is just beginning and I am beyond excited to share all of this with you. Buckle up and enjoy the ride.

Cheers

~ Be good to each other ~