“I do not consider myself an artist but I found a deep appreciation for writing and art when I went back to school to finish my Associates. When the pandemic initially closed the schools, I took my three children to quarantine at my sister-in-law’s home in a small town in Colorado with a population of about 500 people. After a few weeks of social isolation and not having processed the sudden and major life changes, I found myself angry and depressed. One morning while washing dishes, I looked out the window and I saw something sad and beautiful. I saw a dead tree bent from the wind and weight of snow. At this point tears were starting to form but I would not allow myself to let go. Then I noticed the sunlight was causing the tree to glow through the reflections of the ice. I suddenly had a thought to paint what I saw, so I took a damaged canvas from my kid’s art supplies and tried to paint what I saw that morning. I felt so much better afterwards and I thank God for always continuing to show me the beauty of His creations.”

–Albert Tagatac

About the Artist

Albert was born in the Philippines and raised in Santa Barbara. He attended both San Marcos High and Dos Pueblos High, graduating in 1998. He completed the Santa Barbara City College Culinary Program in 2004. He graduated with an Associates of Science in Culinary Arts in 2014. He is currently working as a Playground Supervisor for Goleta Union School District and is a full time father and home school teacher during the pandemic.