How did you become interested in your craft/artwork style?

     I’ve been interested in art and drawing, ever since I was a child. I was encouraged by my art teachers throughout my schooling to pursue art as a profession. Nature has always inspired me and that’s why it’s always a frequent theme of my work. By bringing attention to the beauty and wonder of our natural world, I hope to inspire others to help protect our changing environment. 

Are you self-taught, or did you take classes?

     I always chose art electives when I was in grade school. In fact, my high school was an art magnet school, which means I had access to lots of different mediums to try and knowledgeable teachers to learn from. I earned my Bachelor’s of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in 2011 with a focus on Drawing and Design, and I earned my Masters of Arts (M.A.) in Humanities in 2015, with a focus on gender studies and figure drawing.

Do you work in multiple mediums? What is your favorite?

     I draw, paint watercolors, dry/preserve/press flowers, and work with clay. I seem to bounce between all of the mediums in a cyclical pattern, choosing to work inside with watercolors in the winter, dry and preserve flowers when they are abundant in the spring, and throw clay in my garage studio in the warmer months. 

What is your favorite time of day to create?

     My ideal time to create is late morning into the early afternoon. However, these are prime hours for the demands of a homeschooling mom like myself. I end up working mostly in the early evening and usually end up working pretty late into the night. 

Does art help you in other areas of your life?

     Creating art helps me manage my stress and anxiety. I find the process of creating kind of meditative. 

How do you stay inspired and motivated to create new art?

     My desire to share my thoughts and likes with others motivates me to create. I try to notice the beauty in ordinary things, and share that beauty. Sometimes, a silly thought pops in to my head and I make it because it makes me giggle, and maybe it’ll bring joy to someone else too. It’s always a journey to try to visually represent what I see in my brain.