We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful David Borzo. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with David below.

Alright, David thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I have lived with the visual arts and powerful musical influences all my life. I never thought of being anything but an artist from my earliest days, it was all clear to me. As the grandson and great grandson of accomplished “old-world” painters, I was surrounded by ‘scary’ and beautiful art that filled me with a special sense of color, portraiture, and history. And as the son of a classical violinist who appreciated and promoted so many forms of music – to me and all my eight siblings, – I have learned to look for musical depth and appreciation everywhere I go.

I have always produced art – selling portrait work and architectural drawings as a teenager in High School and College, and always looking for challenges in art project for those who seek it. Now as an art teacher for 13 years, I am relishing the challenge to helping develop little creative minds, great budding artists who show such promise. And as I teach in school and work with my private students, I continue to challenge my own work development, entering many art shows a year toput myself put there and stay viable in the local art culture.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am a lifelong artist who never considered anything (except family!) as being as important as pursuing art as a calling and profession. I have always been fascinated with color and form, growing up with a house full of art from a long line of artists with both a grandfather and great grandfather being accomplished in art. I have been engaged and selling art since I was a teenager. Today, I participate in several shows a year, and have had work published in local, state, and national publications.

I earned my bachelor’s degree in Painting and Drawing from Drake University, and later earned a Master’s Degree in Education, also from from Drake, with endorsements in Art, Gen-Ed, and Special-Education. I turned my attention towards children’s art and training young minds and skill levels. I am now in my 12th year of teaching art at Edmunds Elementary in Des Moines, IA, sharing my love of art and creativity with children as I develop my own work.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

For me, I am constantly amazed and enthralled with artwork that I come across, and I feel privileged to be a part of the artistic landscape. Working with children – and embracing children’s art as a significant form of communication and emotional release – is a distinct privalege. I want to get to school every day to see what me students are up to, and I enjoy the time afforded to work on my own art projects. In my own work, I incorporate much of what I learn from my students.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I had a period when I was working in business, and my creative work waned as I toiled in contract management. My creative side was not being appeased, so I had to make create projects and develop work that I could do in my business positions. I tried to keep my artistic side busy with the various businesses and hotels I worked for. I maintained this unequal balance until my 40’s, when I decided I had to be fully engaged in art and art education. I felt like I had earned the privilege, and that I needed to get my Master’s Degree in art education, and advance my skills.

Image Credits
All photo images by David Borzo