The Short Story
I’m a full-time artist and adventurer. Whenever possible, I create outside, mostly in the grass surrounded by flower gardens and the tallest trees. I’m an avid gardener and enthusiastic cook and would be delighted to have you over for dinner! When I’m not teaching workshops, travelling, and painting in gardens around the world, I live with my bluegrass singing husband Brian in Madison, Wisconsin.
I love mixing all sorts of materials in my work-acrylics, spray paint, pastels, origami paper, glitter, vintage sheet music and wallpaper.
Feel free to say hello...I'd be delighted to hear from you! Read more about my adventures and creative projects on my blog. You can also find me in these places too: Flickr, Twitter, Facebook, and Pinterest.
The Longer Version
For years I stopped painting because all of my artwork ended up in my basement or the trash. I thought, “what good is it to create?” I knew I needed to create for myself (because I couldn’t not do it in some way), but I never thought anyone else would want to see my work. I always painted and loved it so much as a kid and in high school (it was a fabulous outlet for me). But even when I went to college, I went to study environmental biology. I painted everything I could in my dorm room. I found this huge sheet of paper and pasted it above my bed and whenever I could, I’d work on that drawing. Then when it was done, I started in on this blank, white cabinet I’d brought with me. I drew a colorful abstract scene with colored pencils. I’m sure that cabinet got thrown in the garbage when I moved out of the dorms. That’s how I felt about my art for years.
Then in the summer of 2009 I lost my job. It was the first job I ever really loved (as a landscaper). To get myself back on track, I started doing what I adored most as a kid - cutting out outfits for characters and making up their stories. My sister-in-law gifted me with a few fabulous vintage wallpaper books. I was astounded by the colors and patterns and knew I had to do something with the gorgeous paper. And that's what started all of these whimsical paintings!
I’ve had all sorts of jobs-as arts and technology reporters, an editorial assistant, a photographer, graphic designer, floral designer, landscaper, web developer and computer programmer. Nothing ever seemed to fit. But I’ve realized that having all of those jobs helped prepare me in different ways for my life as an artist.
Art is therapy for me. It’s a healing process. I used to hide my ideas, creativity and imagination because it seemed so different from what everyone else said or expressed. Now I’ve realized that these things that I once felt were my weaknesses are really my biggest strengths and the most important things to share with the world. Before I begin any creative project, I take a moment to listen to what I’m feeling and set an intention for what I’d like to express. I’m always trying to express my feelings and move through and grow from my own experiences, and usually that comes across on some level whenever people see my work.
My hope is that through sharing my art and experiences as an artist, others might be inspired to share with the world whatever it is they’re most passionate about. I try my hardest to tell my story authentically and completely honestly so others can feel the hard work and heart that comes through in all I do and hopefully see how amazing it is to experience life doing whatever it is you love.
Online Painting Workshops
I'm currently teaching two online painting workshops: HOW TO PAINT AN OWL and HOW TO PAINT A GIRL. Find all of the details right here. I'm also hard at work on a novel, documenting my creative life in a year, and writing a picture book that incorporates my paintings and their stories.