I always loved art growing up. My parents noticed this right away, as early as 3 years old, and from that point on I was highly encouraged. I have hazy memories of special craft days once a week when I was in preschool and kindergarten where my mom would get out containers filled with sequins, silk flowers, ribbon, pom-pons and foils and boxes of fabrics, paint, construction paper, crayons, markers … anything imaginable. Although the details over time have become vague, I still remember there was always something magical about that round plastic container.

Though I found myself inspired by every texture, color, detail, or small nuance around me; the world itself an overwhelmingly stimulating place; I had a strong aversion to directly copying any influence. It seemed like cheating. I was also a coloring book addict, and due to this strong attachment to individuality, I ended up with quite a few pictures of Belle from "Beauty and the Beast" with purple hair, or green skin, or even shooting metallic red and gold lasers from her fingertips at the personified wardrobe.

I view living things; plants, animals, and people; as living sculptures and am fascinated in their detailed physical structure, both internal and external. Much of my work involves making the internal external. I enjoy visually exposing the unique mental environment of the subject in each work. I believe art should let us see something we cannot in real life, and this idea meets that function. Rather than using exaggerated facial expressions or gestures, I tend to let the external surroundings of a subject speak to the content of their mind and soul. This tendency most likely stems from my interior design background, and the idea that the external environment should reflect the internal person who inhabits it.

I currently work at Creative 360 in Midland, MI as Program Coordinator for Express Yourself Artshop. Artshop is an inclusive arts and wellness program welcoming all students, including those with physical, intellectual, and psychological disabilities. I see every day how creation sparks joy in the creator and those around them. Everyone is an artist. Each person on earth has the ability to do something creative that can touch another person, and it is never too late to begin. I also have a blog where I share project ideas, works in progress, news and insight into my own work, as well as the work of other artists I admire. Feel free to follow!

 

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