Baja California Sur, where the desert meets the sea. Where whale sharks gather in the bay of La Paz, humpback whales return each winter, baby turtles are born on the shore and endless stretches of coastline remind you just how big world can be.

This is where Oceza was born.

But my story started long before I moved to Baja...

I grew up in the woods of southern Oregon, splitting my time between two very different worlds. My mom lived off the grid without running water or electricity. We’d build fairy houses, make candles from my crayons, hike, go fishing on the river, pan for gold, or search for rocks and minerals.

My dad was a computer programmer who introduced me to technology and problem-solving. Looking back, those two worlds would become the foundation for everything I create today.

As long as I can remember, I've been creating things.

I spent countless hours drawing in my room as a kid. I was always sketching characters, imagining stories, and filling notebooks with ideas. I always knew I wanted to pursue a creative path.

In high school, my dad was diagnosed with brain cancer. He spent years in and out of hospitals, and eventually we found a way to care for him at home.

I escaped into drawing. I took painting classes at the local community college and when my dad passed, I felt like the only thing holding me in place was gone. I moved to San Francisco and enrolled at the Academy of Art University to pursue a career in art.

Surrounded by insanely talented artists, I started to doubt myself. Maybe I wasn’t meant to be a painter after all. Instead of dropping outdecided to take other art classes in printmaking, sculpture, neon sign making, and even a jewelry metalsmithing class.