Overcoming obstacles and paying it forward – one Millburn-based artist reinvented himself and discovered others in the process. 

“It's funny because I was using brushes to paint plates when I was a chef, but now I'm using kitchen tools to paint canvases,” says artist Jesus Nunez.

Nunez came to America from Spain 13 years ago. After working as a chef in New York, he turned his creative attention to art and opened his gallery in Millburn. But there was much to overcome, including Tropical Storm Ida.

“I finished sanding the floors, three days before Ida,” says Nunez. “I was in Spain ready to come here. I had the art, and I received a message from my mother-in-law with video of 4 feet of water in my basement and all of the floors destroyed and everything."

It was just two weeks before his scheduled opening. Nunez says all he's ever known is moving forward. So, he sank more money into repairs and opened the gallery. He says it opened his eyes to new ways of helping others, including female artists. 

“My wife works in the corporate world, and I saw her struggling when men would look at her and say it's not good enough,” says Nunez. "I have an exhibition every month called four hands - two artists, four hands."

It often features female artists, as well as those whose work compliments each other. Ultimately Nunez hopes his gallery, especially his Love Always collection, creates what he believes people need most of all.

"How can I help people who need love?" says Nunez. “Love Always, because love is always love. Nothing can change this."

As part of the Love Always collection, artists donate a piece of their art dedicated to love. Each month, the proceeds of every piece sold go to a different nonprofit selected by Nunez.