Today marks a significant milestone in my life and artistic career: the culmination of a project that has truly become my life's work up until now. I've just finalized a collection of 191 unique digital art pieces, ready for you to explore on my art download site. Each image, transformed through Photoshop into a watercolor-style painting with a distinctive salt texture, represents not just a scene I've captured, but a piece of my soul and a testament to a journey of growth and resilience. I plan to continually add to this collection as I go in the same style for now, until I decide that it is time to move on to another photographic discipline. 

This collection, featuring everything from the vibrant cityscapes of Atlanta, New York, and Salt Lake City, to the stoic beauty of lighthouses, historical buildings, landscapes, and abstract compositions, offers something for everyone. I designed this site so that you don't have to have a lot of money to own something lasting and memorable. It's more than just a gallery; it's a reflection of moments observed, emotions felt, and the profound therapeutic power of art. The best part is if you wish to have a print made of any of these images, there are also links for options in the descriptions of every image that will take you to print options.

Navigating the Unseen Battles and Finding Support

My path to this point hasn't been a straight line, and like many, I've faced my share of unseen battles. For years, I've struggled with service-related PTSD, a silent struggle that often dictates its own terms. The very events I experienced in the military that caused my PTSD also ignited a deep desire within me to create something beautiful in this world, especially in a time when things aren't always so great. It was a constant reminder that we need to look at the positive things in our world. When we look at the good in any situation, the seemingly insurmountable can become easily overcome.

This artistic mission crystallized after witnessing the aftermath of a suicide bombing in 2004 that happened at forward base Marez near Mozul, Iraq. During this time, I was in Ramstein on a short deployment to help with flight line operations supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom. This is not the only event that contributed to my PTSD either, actually it was only the beginning of some really stressful times. Upon returning to my duty station in Portugal, I used my per diem money to purchase a new-to-me Nikon D100 and a 28-105 f2.8 lens. It was then, really, that I decided I was going to try my best to bring beauty to this often seemingly chaotic world and continue my journey as a serious photographer..

This past June, the weight of my struggles became particularly heavy, and a need to re- address my treatment plan and well-being led me to spend a week in the VA hospital here in Salt Lake, dedicating that time entirely to taking care of my mental health. It was a difficult, necessary step, a moment of pausing to rebuild and to remind myself that true strength lies not just in enduring, but in actively seeking healing.

One of the big reasons I made the life-changing decision to relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah, was precisely because it offered me access to better healthcare through the VA. This assistance has been absolutely foundational, and I can say with certainty that I couldn't have ever started this project, let alone completed it, without their invaluable help. Their dedication to veteran care has provided the stability and support necessary for me to pursue this creative path. Additionally, part of the reason for my move here was to help a startup, a venture that has been taking longer to get going than initially expected, adding another layer to my current journey. It's through these personal experiences that the heart of this project truly emerged.

While I don't really like to talk about my PTSD or make it a reason for purchasing my art, I am sharing this context to offer a full understanding of my journey and the deep purpose behind this endeavor. Ultimately, my sincere hope is that you choose to download or purchase my art because you genuinely connect with it, finding beauty and meaning within the images themselves. Every single image I'm offering for sale carries a profound purpose beyond its aesthetic appeal. You'll notice that with each listing, a portion of the proceeds will be dedicated to a specific charitable organization, such as the Fisher House Foundation and Safe Passage. This isn't just a business decision; it's deeply personal. Having experienced the need for support, understanding, and safe spaces, I feel an undeniable call to give back to organizations that provide critical assistance to veterans, military families, and survivors of domestic violence – causes that resonate deeply with my own journey.

Art as Therapy, Giving as Purpose, and a Future Ahead

Creating these images has been an incredibly grounding and healing process. The act of diving into a photograph, meticulously applying digital paint, and bringing a new life to a captured moment—whether it's the quiet solitude of a lone tree, the bustling energy of a city, or the dramatic sweep of a landscape—has been a form of meditation, a way to channel challenges into something beautiful and tangible. Each stroke and texture became a step forward.

And now, as this extensive collection is complete, I feel a profound sense of accomplishment. This isn't merely a collection of digital downloads; it is the culmination of my life's work up until now, infused with personal memories, challenges overcome, and a renewed purpose to contribute positively to the world.

Looking ahead, my artistic journey continues along with my professional journey photographing architecture. Thanks to my free lifetime pass to the National Parks for my service, I am planning on visiting and creating new images from these majestic places in the future. I am committed to regularly updating this collection, bringing new perspectives and creations to my gallery. I'll also be keeping you updated with new articles as I add more work, sharing insights and stories behind the art.

When you explore these images, whether you choose a digital download for your screen or a physical print to adorn your walls, I hope you see more than just art. I hope you see a piece of a journey, a commitment to quality, and a dedication to supporting vital causes. As a special limited-time offer, when you purchase any digital download for just $4.95, you will also receive a signed, high-quality 5x7 print to keep as my gift to you.

I want to thank all of my supporters up until this point in the last 6 years in my professional photography journey since re-starting in 2019, and I am planning on continuing improving my craft every day. I especially would like to thank my mom who is likely my biggest fan. Thanks for always putting up with me. : )

You can see my work here: https://www.sundogegallery.com/shop-art