What got me started

From an early age, I’ve had an insatiable curiosity and a passion for exploring new things. When I was in third grade, I arrived home after school with an art project that had some sort of bad mark from the teacher, because I’d done a tree “wrong”… I don’t remember much about the actual piece, but I do remember my mother marching over to the school to read that teacher the riot act. Due to my mother’s unwavering support and fierce defense, I learned the importance of standing firm in my creative vision, which laid the foundation for my lifelong artistic journey.

I am constantly drawn to new and unexpected experiences, and I love working with diverse artistic mediums. My eclectic journey has included sewing, quilting, paper quilling, batik, calligraphy, ceramics, welding, acrylic pour painting, alcohol inks, sculpture building, cement casting, print-making, collage, watercolor, cooking, Japanese brush painting, polymer clay, epoxy resin craft, glass fusing, and mosaic art. Even as a seasoned mosaic artist, I continuously seek to push the boundaries of this medium, refusing to be constrained by its traditional limits.

My challenges

Throughout my career, I’ve grappled with the expectation that I must have a consistent “voice” in my art. However, my body of work is a tapestry of abstracts, landscapes, whimsical pieces, representational works, and art that spans various sizes and settings, from indoor to garden, and from 2D to 3D. While I admire artists with a clear, consistent style, I’ve finally embraced my need for perpetual exploration and innovation. This relentless experimentation and the joy of learning new techniques have sometimes led to failures, but I value these experiences as essential steps in my creative journey.

Sharing my inspiration

Beyond my personal artistic endeavors, I am deeply committed to inspiring others to discover their own creative potential. I love the accessibility of mosaic art, believing it can empower even those who doubt their artistic abilities. As a teacher, problem-solver, and innovator, I continually seek multiple ways to bring artistic visions to life, in ways that anyone can achieve. I have been teaching (mosaic, English as a Second Language, rowing) for over half my life, and I find great joy in helping people learn new things, and finding ways to show and communicate so that everyone finds a level of enjoyment and success.

When not in my home studio, I enjoy spending time in the wood, metal, and tech shops at the DIYCave, and cherishing moments at home with my very tolerant and supportive husband, our three dogs, and two cats.