Jesus Abelardo Carranza

I’m doing a few family Portraits and this is my Dad. His Grandfather was the brother of Venustiano Carranza - The President of Mexico. When my grandparents where alive, they would get all the kids together during thanksgiving and tell us about the Mexican Revolution and how Pancho Villa assassinated President Carranza. This heritage lives deep within my father and his drive to protect our County is as pure as gold. He was even named after Venustiano’s brother and father. He fought in the Korean war as a communication cryptographic code breaker and a liaison between commanding officers. He set up the 127th orphanage and hospital during the Vietnam War that housed and took care of all those kids orphaned due to the War. He’s been shot multiple times, survived a 450 foot cliff fall, has been electrocuted by 10,000 volts, survived a head-on motorcycle crash on the freeway and so many other things. A cat may have nine lives, but my father has over a 100. Our country has recognized him by giving numerous letters of recommendations. This man has shown me how to build a house from the ground up (literally every part), he is an incredible artist and a father of two sons and one daughter. Unfortunately life’s adventures have taken a toll on his body, along with 15+ years of diabetes which combined has has taken his health down a critical path. His kidneys are working at only 15% (dialysis starts at 14%) and a transplant is required ASAP. My Dad is my Hero and in my world Hero’s never die . . . a Hero’s life should be in our hearts forever!! My Dad has shown me what a heart without compromise can do and I pray that I take the torch of our heritage and make him proud.

Major Charlotte Craven

I was truly honored to be one of the first to congratulate and interview the new Major of our city today. Major Craven was just moving into her new office as we met and even apologize for the delayed interview (you ask me - four days after getting the position was fantastic). Major Craven has been an elected member of our Camarillo’s City Council since 1986. This is Charlotte’s fifth term as Major in 20 years, that fact alone shows our appreciation for this incredible leader. She was the recipient of the CASA Individual Achievement Award in 2001 and has made an incredible impact for Affordable Housing within our community. Charlotte lead her fellow Councilmembers with one of Camarillo’s crown jewels, a City Library that we can boast about and hold up next to any of America’s finest. I asked Major Craven what advice she would give the kids of this world? She said “My advice for life is; Do one thing a time, do the best that you can, and do the most important thing first”.

Major Craven was so kind with her time and even put on a “Warrior” tribal outfit and told me the craziest story about how she received it. This is definitely the type of leader our community needs, someone willing to meet anyone exactly where they’re at and willing to laugh along with them.

Katlyn

All potential prospects fell through today, but what a blessing that was! I was able to do a portrait of a leader in the making. My little friend and neighbor Katlyn. This girl has leadership written all over her, from her Dad’s example (a helicopter paramedic) to a mother that teaches all things good. To bad Dad didn’t want to get his portrait - I still working on him - another hometown humbled hero.

Carlos ‘Sugarbear’ Reyes

Carlos is the owner of Olas Mexican Grill, my absolute favorite mexican food in Camarillo. Carlos is one of the original Longboard Crew members of HB.
His cuisine is not only magnificent, but the place is decorated in 21st Century ‘Soul Arch’ motif with beautiful longboards hanging from the ceiling and
60” plasma screens playing surf videos everywhere the eye can see. Carlos is intertwined within the youth of Ventura County by giving sponsorships and a caring heart to those who need more than just an encouraging word. Carlos thrives on reaching out to those kids that may only have their skateboard or surfboard to hold onto. This man has changed lives and attitudes to our youth, not by words but by his walk and his larger than large “Sugarbear” giving.