A lITTLE ABOUT ME 

It seems music and the arts have always been in my blood. My maternal grandfather, Nativadad Valdes played the violin and was a member of the symphony. I never knew him, he died when I was a young child, it was my grandmother who shared all the stories I now know about him. Like the time my grandfather had the entire orchestra serenade my grandmother. My paternal family made their living as musicians, they each mastered an instrument and had a family run orchestra. 

Rosa Valdes was my maternal grandmother, she was born into a strict military family. As the youngest and the only girl among her siblings her four brothers were very protective of her. It was her dream to become a teacher but her family was not able to send her to school. Still she was a very smart lady and took an interest in good literature. At very young age she read what are considered classic novels like "Don Quixote,""Les Misérables," "The Count of Monte Cristo," "Marie Antoinette," and many others.  

I lived with my father until I was about fourteen years old up until then I never visited my mother or maternal grandparents, I didn't know much about them. Now I see that  I have many things in common with my maternal grandmother. Like my grandmother I struggled with getting an education. While I was living with my father I was sent to school off and on and I learned to read when I was about ten years old. But once I learned to read I discovered the magic of literature. I didn't read great novels like my grandmother I read various articles in newspapers and magazines. What I found most fascinating to read was the world of fashion, music and movies. I collected pictures of models, actors, singers and movie posters. Even as a kid Black and White photos were more fascinating to me than color ones. As an adult I began to read fine novels just like my grandmother did.

From a very young age I learned to appreciate and enjoy all kinds of music. I was never influenced by anyone my heart simply understood music. I collect all kinds of music from all over the world. Understanding a song in a foreign language is not a problem, I listen with my heart and that's all I need. I love and admire the sound of the violin and going to the symphony. I have been privileged to be exposed to art by friends, by novels that I read, and other people I admire. With time I understood that I don't just share my grandfather, Natividad Valdes' genes but also our passion for the arts runs through my veins and flows like blood through my body. 

I was very lucky to study photography at Foothill College, in Los Altos, California. I was very privileged to have Ms. Marion Patterson as a teacher, she is not only an artist in her own right but during her earlier years was assistant to Mr. Ansel Adams. She molded me and encouraged me to become an artist. She never censured any of her students.  She allowed us to express ourselves through art. When it came time critique the work she was always very positive and encouraging. Most importantly, she believed in each of us and with all those factors in place how could I refuse to be an artist? I simply couldn't. I was born to touch others with my artwork, this I understood with time.