New Chapter
From Burnout to Breakthrough
About a year and a half ago, I stepped away from making art professionally. I was tired, broke, and honestly unsure if I even liked making art anymore. Then, life threw me a curveball—I moved (kicking and screaming a little) back to my hometown of Sheridan, Wyoming. As a city guy, the country wasn’t exactly my dream. But I was offered the chance to help a good friend remodel a giant warehouse for his business, Big Horn Design—better known locally as Surf Wyoming. It was a big, physical, creative project, and even though it wasn’t what I imagined for myself, I was deeply grateful for the work. It gave me a purpose when I needed it most.
Wandering and Wondering
While I was in Sheridan, I stopped pressuring myself to make art every day. I gave myself full permission to only create when it felt fun—and if I dropped a project halfway through? No big deal. That was huge for me. Still, I hit some tough dry spells. I journaled a lot, questioned everything, and tried to figure out what was next. I obsessed over maps—imagining myself in Mexico, the East Coast, Texas (hello, SpaceX!), but none of it quite clicked. Eventually, I found myself pulled toward the West Coast. I kept zooming in on Oregon and Washington, and then—almost accidentally—I stumbled onto Tacoma. And something about it just felt right.
The Leap to Tacoma
After two visits to test the vibe, I was hooked. Tacoma had everything I was craving: ships, rainbows, cool architecture, and a thriving art scene wrapped in gritty, green charm. So I jumped. No job lined up. No friends here. Just a hunch and some support from a few incredible people (you know who you are). Now I’m living downtown, working part-time at a frame shop/art gallery, and falling fast for this city. I walk everywhere, snap photos, and feel fully alive again. Art is coming back naturally—no pressure, just play. And it feels so good.
Say Hello to Urban Muse & Sultry Hues
With all that said, I’m thrilled to introduce my new studio and art space: Urban Muse & Sultry Hues! It’s a fresh spin on my old creative brand, Da Vinci’s Workshop—but this time, it’s got more color, more fun, and a whole lot more soul. You’ll find me painting Tacoma’s buildings one day and working on cheeky pinup pieces the next. It all depends on what sparks joy that morning. I’ve set up shop inside Sanford and Son Antiques, right in the heart of the middle floor merchants area. Stop by, say hi, flip through my work, tell me your favorite Tacoma story, or just hang out. You might even catch me in the middle of painting something weird and wonderful.
Come hang out!
📍 You can visit me at Urban Muse & Sultry Hues inside Sanford and Son Antiques, middle floor.
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📸 Follow the daily creative ride on Instagram: @urbanmuseandsultryhues
Let’s build something beautiful together, Tacoma.
