I am the owner of the ecommerce boutique Sparrow Art Vibes. In December 2019 I stumbled upon a 10-minute YouTube video titled 25 Ideas De Arte Muy Locas. It showed people “pouring” paint onto canvases and creating absolutely beautiful artwork by allowing the paint to flow over the edges of the canvases. I learned that the technique was called acrylic pour painting or fluid art. I tried it, loved what I created, and I was hooked! I started with canvas and soon moved to creating beverage coasters using ceramic tiles. The tiles were sealed in resin and soon I was creating mostly resin artwork. Today, I create one-of-a-kind works of art that solve problems and have turned a stumbled upon hobby into a business. I hope you appreciate beautiful things and that I inspire you to create something beautiful!
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your family.
I was born in North Carolina. My mom remarried and we moved to Kansas City, Kansas where I lived from 3rd grade to high school graduation. I moved to Boston in 1974 to attend college and stayed there until 2004, when I relocated to Daytona Beach. I live with two rescue dogs – Black Beauty and Marble. I have a daughter and 2 grandsons who live in Atlanta. My son lives in Daytona Beach and he has one daughter.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I recently retired after teaching for 30 years and am now an artrepreneur. I create resin art including beverage coasters, bud vases, and decorative charcuterie boards. I love being able to create! Prior to teaching, I was a radio news announcer for five years before moving to non-profit public relations.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
I love outdoor dining so my first favorite spot is Bahama Breeze. I also love to eat at any spot near water so I enjoy Aunt Catfish and Caribbean Jack’s.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community?
I moved to Daytona Beach from Boston, Massachusetts in 2004 – the year of Hurricanes Charley, Frances, and Jean. I was recruited to be a special education support facilitator at Mainland High School.
Q: Who is the most interesting person you’ve met here in our community?
Former Daytona Beach Mayor Yvonne Scarlett-Golden is the most interesting person I’ve met because I did not know she was the city’s mayor when I met her. We had a brief conversation about the city and she then revealed who she was (when she realized that I did not recognize her).
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
I would love to travel to Kenya or Tanzania and go on a safari. When I was young I watched a tv show called “Daktari” that took place in Africa. There was a crossed-eyed lion on the show and I always dreamt of traveling to Africa to see the animals on the show
Q: What is one of your favorite movies? TV shows?
Favorite movies include “To Sir With Love” starring Sidney Portier, “Coach Carter” starring Samuel L. Jackson, “Tombstone” with Val Kilmer, and “Pretty Woman” with Julia Roberts. Favorite TV show? I am a Law & Order franchise fiend (SVU, Criminal Intent)!!
Q: What advice would you give to people?
Never settle for the path of least resistance! (I hope you DANCE!)
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I still want to learn how to swim and go scuba diving.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what to listen to?
Don’t have a favorite band. I like listening to Frankie Beverly and Maze when I’m trying to balance joy and pain.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
No one business comes to mind. I just enjoy being able to be outside year-round
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative; with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
“Rich Dad, Poor Dad” author Robert Kiyosaki is someone I’d love to chat with because he convinced me that my home is NOT an asset. He has a unique perspective on money, passive income, and business development. We’d do Bahama Breeze or Caribbean Jack’s so we could dine outdoors.
Q: What is your favorite thing or something unique about our community?
Daytona Beach is slowly shedding its “redneck-Confederate flag” image and becoming more progressive with more cultural things to do like visit the new Cicci Brown Art Museum and the Southeast Photography Museum at Daytona State.
Q: Where do you see yourself in 5 to 10 years?
TRAVELING the world! I also expect to have a thriving art business that provides a consistent income and provides employment opportunities to a few local residents.
Q: (Even for friends or family), what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
OMG! I’m made of bits and pieces: artificial left hip, artificial right knee, and artificial right large toe joint.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
The Grand Canyon. I also like my backyard!
Q: Favorite month? favorite holiday? and best single day on the calendar?
Summer months • July 4th • January 7th AND April 25th – children’s birthdates
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
I’d give a chilled bottle of Moscato wine with a dish of Havarti dill cheese slices a 10 out of 10. Also, SCORE mentors, Apple MacIntosh and Shopify provide superior customer service all the time!
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My friends Hyacinth and Kathy.
Q: What is one or two of your favorite smells?
I love the smell of collard greens cooked with smoked turkey wings. And I enjoy the pleasant smell of VANILLA.
Q: Finally, what 3 words or phrases come to mind when you think of the word HOME?
Chaos • Serenity • Affection
