Interview

What is your background and how did you start your journey in the art world?

“My first career was in small business accounting. Contrary to the common stereotype, I’ve always been both a numbers person and a creative. While I found traditional accounting tasks a bit stifling, I quickly learned to apply my creativity toward solving complex business problems. I truly enjoyed that phase of life—but the itch to make art never left. My early work was very much about breaking free from the neat, contained world of spreadsheets—organized rows and columns gave way to messy layers, unexpected textures, and the freedom to experiment. I devoured art history books, took classes at a local community college, and dove headfirst into the unknown. Some pieces flopped, but others became the foundation of my signature style. The learning curve was steep, but thrilling.”

What inspires you?

“Reading is a deep well of inspiration for me. My latest collection, Subterranean, was sparked by The Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia. It’s set in Mexico and follows an unexpected female protagonist who overcomes immense trials with humility and sacrifice. It’s a powerful meditation on feminine strength and true leadership. I'm also currently immersed in Women Who Run with the Wolves by Clarissa Pinkola Estés, which honors the ‘wild woman’ archetype—a primal, trustworthy force within all of us. It’s about remembering and nurturing our instincts, even after long periods of disconnection. Books like these crack something open in me, and that energy inevitably flows into the work.”

What themes do you pursue? Is there an underlying message in your work?

“My current collection, Subterranean, explores the story beneath the story—the river beneath the river. It speaks to the hidden drives, motives, and life force that flow beneath our conscious selves. While many live solely on the surface, there is surely a fortune in the descent. Underground is where we go to unmake ourselves- to shed old skins and discard former treasures, to mourn what never materialized. Below ground, cocooned in Mother Earth, we drink from a spring, strengthen our roots, rewrite the rules in our own native tongue. We emerge dressed in layers of chainmail or feathers, triumphant yet humbled, our grief and hatred metabolized, our knowing keen. My themes evolve, but always orbit curiosity, introspection, and deep connection.”

How would you describe your work?

“My paintings are composed of irregular, unrecognizable forms layered with charcoal, pencil, fabric and twine. These layers serve as a visual metaphor for the nuance and complexity of the human experience, inviting viewers to look deeper, to approach with curiosity, and to honor each person as a magically intricate being.”

Which artists influence you most?

“I’m drawn to contemporary artists who push material and conceptual boundaries. Karen Gunderson, for instance, creates mesmerizing water scenes using only black paint, Jeremy Holmes’ wall sculptures are fluid and architectural, and Joelle Somero’s layered canvases and directional brushstrokes create a palpable energy. I love seeing new approaches to medium, form, and subject.”

“My paintings are composed of irregular, unrecognizable forms layered with charcoal, pencil, fabric and twine.”

What is your creative process like?

“Most of my days begin with sending my kids off to school and doing a quick house reset—I need some order before I can tap into creativity! After grounding through meditation, journaling, or stretching outside, I move into the studio. Some seasons are about exploration—new materials, unconventional formats, or working outside my comfort zone. Once I’ve locked into a collection, I build a palette and direction and begin working intuitively, letting the process unfold with a mix of structure and spontaneity.”

What is an artist’s role in society and how do you see that evolving?

“Artists speak where language falters. We initiate conversations that might otherwise go unsaid. We offer beauty, tension, reflection, and sometimes discomfort. Art should make people pause and feel something. In a world that moves faster by the day, that pause matters more than ever. Whether it offers calm in a living room or becomes a conversation starter in a foyer, art has the power to create meaningful, reflective spaces in our lives.”