You began your career as a Print and TV Journalist, with a transition to Social Media Strategist. How did you then also make the transition to artist?
I have always been a practicing artist. I have been painting and drawing as a side hobby from a very young age participating in shows and events throughout most of my life. Over the last 4 years, my study of art and technique has intensified, I found the real catalyst was when I moved to San Juan, Puerto Rico for 6 months. I began to take life drawing classes again, which are great for any medium and a gallery there represented my work. The way of life in the Caribbean was very emotionally fulfilling for me. I found it to be a very different place than the United States, functioning as a shared economy more than a capitalistic one—and the people are very tied into creativity as an emotional outlet. It was very inspiring being that I am a sensitive artist who has been trying to fit into a competitive corporate world. When I moved back to Seattle the flood gates opened, I started participating in more shows and groups, and also began a product company that sells books and journals featuring my artwork.
I am still working freelance as a Social Media Manager while I develop my art business.
What is your biggest challenge as an artist?
I think my biggest challenge is figuring out how to make a living as an artist, you really have to get creative. I also find that I need a certain amount of downtime so I can go out and observe nature, that is when my good ideas come. Working with a schedule that is incredibly packed doesn’t yield great creative results.
I’ve read that you grew up surrounded by the forests of Seattle. Do you think you still draw inspiration from those forests and wildflowers in your work?
Everywhere I go, I seek out nature and that looks different depending on the terrain. Seattle has the most stunning natural forests I have seen, so yes, I am definitely influenced by growing up in the woods. I have studied flowers extensively, watching how they bud, bloom, and die. Most of my life I have had a garden as well, so that has been helpful to work with the earth and watch what grows in it.
What brought you to LA, and what are some of the things you love about it that keep you there?
There are a lot of misconceptions about Los Angeles. I think a lot of people perceive LA to be all about entertainment and superficiality. And while that exists here, there is just as much of everything else. What brought me here is the weather, it’s a perfect sunny day, every day. There is also a lot of support for the creative arts here. This town is beaming with creativity and inspiration. There are quite a few artists living and working here. I am not sure I will stay, but for now, it is my home.
The Study of Flowers
I have studied flowers extensively, watching how they bud, bloom, and die. Most of my life I have had a garden as well, so that has been helpful to work with the earth and watch what grows in it.
If you could travel anywhere, where would it be?
There are too many! I travel quite a bit and over the last four years I have moved around as well. I have been checking off a few places on my list—most recently I went to Paris, London, drove around the entire Northern part of Italy, and explored the lush little island of Bali, Indonesia. I have many more places on my list! It’s hard to name one—travel is the best form of education I have participated in, you really learn how different and the same other places are. I am thinking my next trip could be to Scotland to visit a friend and then Germany. I also would really like to visit Egypt.
