My friend Meredith Nevard is an extraordinary person. She is one of the best connectors that I know. She has this gift of matching up people to create a new synergy with that pairing. Earlier this year she invited me to take a tour of Becoming Independent and it’s arts program.

"Becoming Independent is a community based service organization established over 40 years ago to help people with disabilities live meaningful and productive lives in Sonoma, Napa and Solano counties. “

These are mostly cognitive disabilities also known as intellectual disabilities. Meredith is such a strong advocate for this arts program. She was hoping that something would spark inside my head when introducing Becoming Independent Arts to me. Once a year I’ll shoot a personal project that has a purpose. Using my creative skills as a photographer to help give back. BI Art became this year’s project.

It was very interesting on the day of the shoot that I shot everyone first plus have them sign their autograph in my journal. Then afterwards I did all the copy work on the artwork. I did not know whose art was who’s when shooting the artwork. It was only until afterwards during the editing process that I matched up the art, signatures and portraits that I discovered a running thread throughout the three elements. I would notice similar poses, expressions, unique brush stokes in the art work that match the artist’s personality. Sometimes their signature would be a very strong element to the final piece acting as a ribbon tying it all together.

BI Art will be using this photography project to help promote the artists and program. Hopefully this will help shine a light on some very talented and deserving people.

Meredith asking Fred to sign in the book.