Art
I sometimes make art. My art and designs have appeared in academic journals, galleries, a Congressional Art Competition, and other venues. Selected pieces below.
Feel free to contact me for a full catalogue of my art and illustrations.
You can find my friend (and sometimes collaborator) Michael Tapia's work on Instagram @michaelalbertotapia
You can find my friend (and sometimes collaborator) Michael Tapia's work on Instagram @michaelalbertotapia
Volunteering and Public Service
Public Service is an important part of my life. As of November 2024, I am a newly elected member of the Board of Directors of Red Feather Development Group - a non-profit organization that partners with Indigenous communities to develop and implement lasting and impactful housing solutions. We are currently serving the Hopi Tribe and Navajo Nation.
Update: March 2025, we received notice that - under the new federal administration - the EPA is terminating our Collaborative Problem Solving Grant, which was awarded in January 2024. This is extremely unfortunate for Red Feather, as the remaining balance on the grant is over $300,000 and is money that we used to fund our projects and pay our staff. Now more than ever our organization must rely on individual donations. Please consider donating and spreading the word. Donations to Red Feather are tax-deductible.
Here are some other organizations that I've volunteered with and that you might consider contributing to.
The US Forest Service - the primary federal agency charged with caring for America's National Forests and rangelands.
The National Park Service - the primary federal agency charged with caring for America's National Parks and Monuments.
Oak Creek Watershed Council - a non-profit dedicated to preserving the health and integrity of Oak Creek in Arizona.
The West Harlem Community Preservation Organization - the CPO's mission is to inform, educate and advocate on issues that impact the quality of life in West Harlem, NYC.
A Little Bit More About Me...
I was born in Mesa, Arizona and raised in beautiful and sunny Tempe, AZ. My parents are originally from Chicago and Joliet, Illinois. My father was a sergeant in the United States Marine Corps, a lineman, and then a bus driver for the public schools. My mother raised my sister and me and works as a teller at a local credit union. My sister, Julie (B.S., M.S.), is a registered dietician specializing in pediatric diabetes. Her and I are the first in our family to earn college and graduate degrees. My entire education from kindergarten-PhD was in US public schools. I was able to attend Arizona State University for my undergraduate education thanks to Federal Pell Grants and an academic scholarship. I now live in green and gorgeous Potchefstroom, South Africa.
Photo taken in the East Cactus Plain Wilderness, Arizona, USA (2020)