My Background.

I am a multifaceted creative who loves to print, paint, and craft art pieces with purpose and play. I draw inspiration from the world within and around me. I envision from the heart and soul, and I create by hand with intention and love.

I was born and raised in the Philippines. As a young child, a spark within me was lit when I encountered two creative people: a family friend who knew how to draw and helped me with a school project and a graphic designer at my mother’s workplace who I eagerly watched when he created posters by hand. Inspired by their skills, I decided I wanted to be as good as them too. I taught myself how to draw, then I developed a love for art.

I immigrated to San Francisco, California, as a teenager, and my desire to learn and make art never waned. In high school, I studied Figure Drawing, Interior Design, and Fashion Design for two summers at the Academy of Art University. I continued to study art and design at City College of San Francisco (CCSF), where I also earned my Associate’s Degree in Graphic Design.

For over two decades, whether as a freelancer or an employee, I was blessed to work at various creative and corporate industries in the Bay Area. I started my journey in illustration and model-building, then dove into digital art and design/production (graphic, interface, and web). At the tail end of my design career, I also worked in HTML programming, email marketing, copy-editing, and copywriting—jobs I grew to enjoy and love alongside design.

When my husband and I began to raise our small family, I closed this chapter of my life. I wholeheartedly focused on being a parent. When my children started their primary education, however, I put all my skills to use as a parent volunteer to teach art in their classrooms. From Kindergarten to Fifth Grade, I worked with their teachers to research, plan, and teach our art lessons monthly; during the pandemic, I taught the classes online. Alongside this role, I became passionate about making a difference in our school community. I assumed leadership roles in our school PTA for five years and co-led our Girl Scouts troop for three years.

A lifelong learner at heart, I went back to CCSF in 2020 to develop my art studio skills. I studied Printmaking, Painting, and Jewelry/Metal Arts online. In 2023, I decided to pursue my practice seriously and started my small business. I joined the Art Guild of Pacifica, and in 2024, I joined ArtSpan in San Francisco. I have participated in both the Silicon Valley Open Studios and San Francisco Open Studios, where I am surrounded by community and connected to art lovers and collectors.

Last, but not the least, my creative work is deepened by my studies and practice in shamanism, Reiki, and SoulCollage.^® In my quest for self-discovery, healing, and connection over the years, my artistic expression has grown tremendously and now, I thrive.

I draw inspiration from the world within and around me. I envision from the heart and soul, and I create by hand with intention and love.

Barbara J Bolls-Guillory