EsotropiArt started as a concept in my mind in mid 2004. For as long as I can remember I have wanted to design a web page to display my artwork. As an artist with perfectionist tendencies, I never felt comfortable giving another artist license to build a site for me, even though I myself did not possess the necessary skills to do so. It just didn't feel right having someone design my website when I knew I could do it myself if I set my mind to it. In addition, there is always that little, selfish back-of-the-mind conflict whenever two artists work together on certain projects, "I would prefer to do it my way." It is comparable in my mind to buying greeting cards, when indeed I could create a personalized card on the computer. Yet I'm lazy, and I buy cards most of the time!

Early in 2004 I decided it would be a good start to at least get my artwork up on the web, where other artists would see it, on an art community site of some sort. As I looked at the popular sites out there I noticed a trend: anything and everything goes. Pretty much everything is considered art nowadays, and it has become difficult to define art, much less decent or wholesome art. One art community in particular allows all sorts of artwork, including that with an objectionable and mature nature. Upon seeing such "options" I changed my pursuit from finding a site to host my artwork to designing my own web site. I concluded it would be safer and more desirable to start my own gallery, where the content could be controlled and sensored if necessary. So began the concept of EsotropiArt.

Unfortunately, as is the case with many of my bright ideas, I lacked the motivation to start. It usually takes a big jolt to get me out of the thinking/talking stage toward real action. Fortunately I had two much needed motivations. First, my sister has successfully made a web site for her family, and she maintains it regularly. I have always wanted to pursue web design and decided that if my sister could do it, I could do it too.

Second, this site is a direct product of a Dreamweaver Web Design class I decided to take at Portland Community College, in the Fall term of 2004. The students were required to create a personal project. I figured that a site to showcase my humble artwork would be a great way to fulfill the class requirements.

EsotropiArt is an online art gallery. Though the galleries currently contain only my own artwork, perhaps at a later date other artists will be selectively invited to participate. For now I have decided to keep it simple and focus on learning web design and perfect a clean, user-friendly interface.

I see this project as one under constant development. While there may indeed be times when I don't make changes for months at a time, I hope to regularly use this project as a testing stage for all my newly acquired web design techniques and tricks. I hope its existence will also inspire me to keep practicing and creating art.

Perhaps not instantly apparent is my personal conviction and purpose in creating EsotropiArt. My mission is to create an online art gallery that brings glory to God. Rather than hoping to find a gallery that shares my convictions, I decided to create my own gallery whose content could be controlled. Surely my own work is far from perfect, even in its ability to bring honor and praise to the Creator. However, I feel that all my work is at worst, harmless and whimsical. My desire is to keep all the content of EsotropiArt anywhere from childish and comical to highly meaningful and inspirational. I will do my absolute best to disallow all content generally deemed objectionable or "adult-oriented." In this way, EsotropiArt is a site that should be acceptable for any audience of any age.

EsotropiArt gets its name from a medical condition, esotropia, where the eyes turn abnormally inward. One who exhibits esotropia might be said to be "cross-eyed." As a follower of Jesus Christ, the living Son of God and only acceptable Savior of souls, it is my ultimate goal in life to focus all my devotion and attention on Him.

As any Christian, I am just another human - and far from perfect! Nevertheless, I will draw closer to God each day and allow myself to become more involved in His grace and love. His perfect gift of eternal life and divine fellowship is hard to fully accept and live out. Perhaps the simplest path to wholeness is found in the eyes of a child. This child appears cross-eyed as he tries to focus on the face of his loving Father who holds him closely in His strong arms. Amazingly enough, God our Father sees us as perfect children through the eyes of the cross.