We were lucky to catch up with Chuck Stoffa recently and have shared our conversation below.

Chuck , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?

My most meaningful project has been finding the “Why” behind creating art and sharing it with others. As I grow older (and wiser?), I believe determining my “Why” in life is very important. Why do I create art? Why do I share my art and other artists’ art in my gallery?

I stumbled into becoming an artist and the “Why” behind it. I dabbled with photography in college and my early years in the Navy, but with no serious direction or drive. I am a 30-year veteran with a background in aviation, and it wasn’t until I launched a business focused on drone photography that I came to the self-realization about my love of the creative process of photography. I find the process of capturing a scene from different aspects and angles exciting and fulfilling. What began as a B2B marketing business has transitioned me into an outdoor and landscape photographer, that truly enjoys capturing nature’s beauty from all different perspectives. I had found the “Why” for creating art, but not for sharing it.

As I experimented and grew as an artist, I was asked to start sharing my prints with the public. That did not seriously interest me, because I didn’t have that “Why” yet. I found it when a good friend of mine asked me to find a veteran organization to donate to. In my search, I found Homes For Our Troops…and my “Why”.

I created the online art gallery, Bella Gallery with a mission of connecting the world to a small group of boutique artists AND giving back to the veteran community. I feel strongly about giving back to fellow veterans whose lives have been significantly challenged by serving our country. A portion of every sale from the gallery is donated to Homes For Our Troops. They build and donate specially adapted custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans. By tying the creation of my art (and others) to giving back to severely injured veterans, I found my “Why”.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

I stumbled into outdoor and landscape photography after launching a drone photography B2B marketing company. To complement my drone work, I purchased professional camera. As an avid hiker, I found myself in nature learning the art of photography. With no one to provide guidance, I started experimenting with odd angles and compositions. I found I enjoyed the creative aspect of composition and post-production. Others found my compositions and post-production manipulation worthwhile and encouraged me to share my photography.

It wasn’t until I found my “Why” that sharing my artistic photography made sense. I feel strongly about giving back to society and community. My “Why” was to launch a gallery that gives back to fellow veterans who have been severely injured serving our country. I spent 30 years in the Navy, and feel very fortunate to not have suffered any serious injuries. There are many who were not as lucky as I, and I wanted to help. I found some other wonderful artists who shared in that desire to help, and I launched Bella Gallery. The gallery gives back a portion of every sale of art to Homes For Our Troops, who builds and donates custom homes for severely injured post-9/11 Veterans.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

Life is a journey where the map is not always clear. I have found that waiting for the perfect plan to move forward leads to standing still, and that just doesn’t work. When I graduated high school, I went to college to become a nuclear engineer. Over 30 years later, I am now a father, a photographer, an owner of an art gallery, a leader in the local Chamber of Commerce, and an airline pilot. The path between going to college and where I am now has had multiple twists and turns; multiple setbacks and roadblocks; multiple tears and laughs. I just keep moving forward, adjusting, and accepting the challenges presented to me.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

The most rewarding aspect of being an artist is how it has expanded my world. Its hard to identify anything specific, but giving myself the permission to call myself an artist (we can all suffer from imposter syndrome), has taken me down a wonderful path I never anticipated. It has forced me to think more creatively in many aspects of my life. It has helped me meet new people and given me new opportunities. It has expanded the way I see the world around me. None of these would have occurred, had I I not let myself become an artist.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.bellagallery.art
• Instagram: bellagallery.art
• Facebook: bellagallery.artgallery

Image Credits
Chuck Stoffa