“I grew up in Fort Wayne, Indiana. I have loved art as long as I can remember. The desire to share this love of art with others led me to pursue a degree in art education at the University of Saint Francis. I have been fortunate enough to have the opportunity to travel. I have been to France, Italy, Greece, China, Hong Kong, and Ireland. I have also traveled a great deal in the United States, primarily the southwest.
This year will be my 9th year teaching art. I teach for Memorial Park Middle School in the Fort Wayne Community Schools. It is exciting to work in such a diverse place with such creative young people! It was seeing their passion and joy in creating that encouraged me to become more serious about creating my own artwork.”
WHEN DID YOU BEGIN MAKING ART?
I have always created in some way since I was a child. I pursued art in college and earned my degree in Art Education from the University of Saint Francis.
WHAT DOES YOUR WORK AIM TO SAY?
Travel is important to me and art is an extension of that. Through my art I can explore distant concepts and ideas and better understand how everything is inter-connected. For example, a star is as much a part of our daily lives as a tree branch, even though it may seem beyond our grasp!
WHO ARE YOUR BIGGEST INFLUENCES?
My top three favorite artists are Monet, Salvador Dali, and graffiti artist Jona Cerwinske. His art inspired me to to start playing around with ink years ago!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE PIECE OF ARTWORK THAT YOU’VE CREATED?
Out my artwork my favorite piece is Blue Nebula. I loved the entire process of that piece, there was no struggle it just flowed!
WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST TOOL? IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN YOUR STUDIO?
My favorite artist tool is a good round brush! I can’t paint without one! I have them in multiple sizes!
WHAT’S YOUR MOST EMBARRASSING MOMENT?
I have taught middle school for 8 years now….I have so many embarrassing moments on a daily basis I don’t notice them happening anymore!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ARTIST JUST STARTING OUT?
As for my advice for artists starting out, Andy Warhol said it best!
“Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding make even more art!”
