What is your artistic background?

I come from a performing arts background. I was in a Southern California based ballet company. I graduated from Loyola Marymount University with a BA in Communications and a BA in Dance. After graduation, I received a scholarship to study acting in London. When I returned home to Los Angeles, I worked in theatre and film. I also worked at a record label and have done music supervision for theatre. In 2006, I co-founded The Howse Collection and published the art of Amy Lynn and Gerald Schwartz.

What motivated you to create Second Story Fine Art?

We had a lot of success with The Howse Collection, but I knew it was just the tip of the iceberg. With all the changes our world went through in 2008, I felt we needed to make some changes of our own. I wanted to bring something truly unique to the art world. A new level of artistry. I wanted our company to stand out as fresh and innovative. But we needed the strength of a team. In the back of my mind I always hoped that Jeff would be on that team.

What was your first experience in the fine art world?

It was tradition for my parents to buy a piece of art on our family vacations. If we spotted a gallery, we went in. I kept postcards from exhibitions and made notes on different pieces. I created a “wish list” at a very young age. But it was my first Art Expo that opened my eyes to exploring a career in fine art. Watching someone fall in love with a painting, hearing different interpretations of what a piece means, the excitement I feel when one of our artists shows us a new painting, introducing the work to galleries . . . these things never get old for me. When I walk into someone’s home and they have empty walls, I want to cry . . . then I start to sell them art.

What is your role in Second Story Fine Art?

Publicity and marketing. I am responsible for making sure the industry knows about our artists. I work with the trades, nurture gallery relations, and search for new opportunities for our artists. I am also the artist liaison. I love this role because, coming from an artistic background myself, I think I understand artists and am happy to be there for them.