Photographer: Janice Tieken

Born in New England, I moved to California in 1966. My Art journey began in 1970 when I entered Otis Art Institute. I had attended Brown University at 17 but unexpected circumstances prevented my finishing there. Eager to complete my education I continued that pursuit and It was in 1970 that I entered Otis Art Institute and was forever changed. There were only 2 Fine Art schools in Los Angeles at the time.
Otis, a 2 year 'senior' school required you to come with 2 years of college. I later pursued a Master's in Psychology and as a licensed Therapist brought "Art As Therapy" to various populations from 2 to 92. Since then I have won awards, been shown in museums as well as other venues including internationally.
At Otis the message was Art was about 'making a statement' - i.e., not just a pretty picture and it fit my own way of thinking. I have created several books including "Anomalies and Conundrums" and one on the endangered California Condor: "Condor Dolly". My Orchid Requiem series won the International Silver Prize for Art and Science of Color in Kyoto in 2003, with a jury of Nobel laureates and other fine art scholars.
What I loved about Photography was the 'truth' of an image that "it was there", albeit possibly altered to satisfy the artist's goal.