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This can certainly be one of our biggest questions in life. I am the son of teachers Louis and Janice Andrade, and the youngest of three siblings. Most of my life has been lived in a creative way, as a photographer when I was very young, and as a musician beginning in the 4th grade. I pursued these two passions for music and photography well into my early college years. And more recently have begun to play music again focusing on ethnic woodwinds and Japanese Shakuhachi Flute. After High School, I attended culinary school at Los Angeles Trade Tech, then ranked 5th best in the nation for culinary arts, and proceeded to work for restaurateurs Sal Casola and Chipper Pastron in opening a large seafood house in Marine Del Rey CA, and beyond that cooked in the city of Los Angeles at various restaurants and country clubs. I learned valuable aspects of the food industry, mostly about food quality and integrity-of-process, and ultimately, that that it is allot of fun and hard work. I met only wonderful people in the industry and have a fondness in my heart for quality food. Eventually I returned to school to obtain a University Education, and studied humanities, philosophy, art and psychology, and graduated with a degree in fine arts. My primary focus in the studio was on creating bronze and stone sculpture, also studying printmaking and some painting. I feel fortunate to have taught stone carving since 1999 at Cuesta Community College, both to adults and to young students in the summer time for the successful College for Kids Program. Recently I have returned to Los Osos, and the central coast to live. I lived in 29 Palms from 2003-2008 and created my dream studio and teaching facility, only to discover, that my roots are near the ocean, and needed watering for me to be healthy and spiritually sound. As much as I loved the desert, it was time for me to return to the central coast. After-all when you chase a dream and live it, eventually it vanishes in some way or another, like a mirage in the desert. However, my life-long friend Gretchen still maintains the 29 Palms Creative Center, and I am happy to always have a fondness in my heart for her and for this beautiful place of free spirits and learning. My current focus is on, living life as Art, and discovering all the beauty along the way. I thank-you for taking the time to visit my website, and I invite you to come back often. Sincerely, Don Andrade |
