Over the past 10 years I have evolved from a consulting school psychologist to a full time photographer and mixed media artist making custom images for small businesses and individuals. Creativity had been a part-time visitor for most of my life in the form of writing and photography but now it has become a full time partner.

I've always included flowers in my portfolio but I began this creative period by trying at long last to get healthy and eat right. Sound familiar? So, since I loved photography but hated vegetables, I decided to develop a still life portfolio of vegetables and fruits that I'd see in the supermarket or at Farmer's Markets. Gradually, I began to eat them. I have a weekly podcast called "Art of the Diet", www.artofthediet.com, which talks all about the ongoing challenges of remaining healthy!

But while weight loss and improved physical health was welcome what was even more significant was the development of a daily creativity habit that began with fruits and vegetables and has expanded to painting and mixed media and alternative photographic techniques, still life portfolio, and narrative photography as well. My website, www.patcoakley.com, documents some of the processes more closely and a closer look at more offerings in my garden portfolio is at www.thephotogardener.com.

Close to my heart, though, is the focus on all things growing and blooming as it has brought its own state of good health to my daily focus. Now, more than ever, I am trying to share this beauty and hope that comes from this creative habit through this shop.