As a girl drawing was my salvation …
The unexpected death of my father was insurmountable and came with deep wounds, which I'm still processing. Drawing got me through the first critical six months and became my instinctual way of processing this loss. First thing, when I got home from school, I would draw in my sketchbook. I didn't realize time had passed until I noticed it was too dark to see what I was drawing. Drawing was a big part of my resilience and provided the hope I needed to continue. I haven't stopped drawing since those days.
I was an ambitious girl and wanted to take my drawing to the next level, so I enrolled myself in Saturday morning drawing classes at the Fashion Institute of Technology. I would take the bus into Manhattan, walk to FIT from Port Authority, draw for 3 hours and walk around Manhattan for an hour or so before taking the bus back home. The invigorating energy of Manhattan kept my imagination and curiosity active, and it provided excitement for who I'm meant to become – an artist.
I remember the distinct moment when I was certain I wanted to become an artist. I was at my friend's house watching MTV (I didn't have cable) when the music video, Take On Me, by a-ha, came on. Time stood still. It was a magical experience. The visuals and music connected to a deep part of my being. It modeled what can be created with imagination, creativity, risk-taking, and being open to possibility. I knew I wanted to create something from nothing and tell visual stories.
I continued drawing classes, and my friends started hiring me to draw on their bedroom walls! Soon after, I moved to Boston to attend The Art Institute of Boston. I spent the next four years experimenting, sharpening my skills, and developing my distinct aesthetic style. I graduated with a highly creative photo-illustration portfolio and immediately started showing my portfolio to designers, publications, ad agencies, starting my career as a commercial artist.
Led Zeppelin’s Icarus Logo I drew on a friends wall 1988
I quickly got assignments for publications such as the New York Times Sunday Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, The Boston Globe Sunday Magazine, Ziff Davis Publications, as well as designers such as Stoltz Design Group, Matter Design and AIGA Boston. I created a set of cards for Clive Barker's game, Imagica, custom imagery for magazines, album covers, and book covers. My work won prestigious awards from The Society of Illustrators NY and LA, Art Directors Club, Boston, and The Visual Club, New York. I’ve also been invited to lecture and exhibit my fine art at prominent universities including California State Polytechnic University, Parsons School of Design/The New School, and Elon University. My dream had come true.
My latest endeavor is Be/Na, a branding art studio. I'm drawing from my experience of many years clarifying my visual communication skills to create unique powerful brand identity, systems, and brand stories. Be/Na sounds like my name, Bina. Be represents the state of existence; be inspired, be creative, be joyful! Na is no limits to infinite creative possibility. For me, creation is in this sweet spot of being and infinite possibility.
Looking back, I see that my loss was woven into the tapestry of who I became. I turned my darkest days into my vision for my life which has guided me to my lifelong career. I work with change makers, coaches, healers, and visionaries because I know the profound impact they can make in peoples’ lives. With my unique background in brand design, art/photography, storytelling, and mindset coaching, I create an impactful brand story that visually represents your purposeful business, which will connect you to your ideal clients.
Let’s create now!