VADA Artist of the Month: Jose Tierrablanca

October’s artist of the month, Jose Tierrablanca, is a junior in VADA (Visual Arts Design Academy) at Santa Barbara High School. 

His photography journey started when he was in eighth grade on a trip to Washington, D.C. with his junior high school. “I was gonna go on a trip, and wanted to learn how to use a camera.” Tierrablanca said, “I started teaching myself, my grandparents and neighbors helped me get my first camera. They taught me the basics.” 

Tierrablanca joined VADA to learn more about traditional arts and has picked up photography on the side. His passion for photographing birds and nature stems from his love of the outdoors. This love is what inspires his photos. “It’s important to look at the world around you, and the little things you miss every day,” he said.

Along with nature, another inspiration to him is his grandpa’s neighbor. “He was the one who showed me how to use a camera and has helped me get my other equipment.” Tierrablanca said.

Tierrablanca makes sure to capture his love for wildlife and art in all of his pictures. He likes to do outdoor activities and always brings his camera with him.“I try to go outside as much as I can, and because of that, my photos are based around nature.” Wildlife and the environment play a big part in Tierrablanca’s life and art. When he’s older, he wants to be a wildlife photographer in “one way or another.” 

VADA is helping him with his traditional art journey. He enjoys learning the traditional techniques of art through the classes the academy offers and hopes to learn even more. 

VADA still plays a key role in the end goal of potentially becoming a full-time photographer. 

He’s feeling good about being artist of the month, and to any future wildlife photographers, he said, “Just get out as much as you can, you can get good photos with any gear, and just have fun with it.” So, to all upcoming photographers, just have fun.