Meet The Artist!

MY STORY

Growing up in Michigan, I learned to read the landscape like a language. My mother taught me to identify wildflowers by their leaves, birds by their calls, and pointed out how light and scents shifted with the seasons. Working alongside my father on our farm driving tractors and installing arrow straight fence lines, I watched him hand-draw blueprints for barn and home additions that he then built with meticulous care. These childhood explorations planted a deep curiosity about both the natural world and craftsmanship that continues to drive my work today.

Oil painting classes in high school opened my mind to a medium rich with storytelling possibilities—from thick, textured impasto to buttery smooth blends, each technique offering a different way to capture emotion and memory.

Nine years ago, I began pursuing painting professionally, and today I maintain an active practice of both plein air and studio work. Through participation in juried art shows across Michigan, I've connected with galleries and collectors throughout the state. I balance my full-time painting practice with nurturing my three teenagers and husband of 21 years. I also find great joy in encouraging other creatives as they begin their own artistic journeys.

MY PROCESS

My painting process begins with direct observation, working en plein air to capture not just what I see, but how the light and atmosphere make me feel.

When I don’t have my paints with me, I will sketch and photograph, developing these into studio work at home on my kitchen floor where I can move around the canvas with the same freedom I felt outdoors.

I use heavy-body acrylics or oils, building texture with palette knife and brushwork in gestural layers that echo the wild spirit and memories of being in those natural spaces.

I love self-representing my work at juried art shows, where I can connect directly with collectors and art lovers, sharing the stories behind each piece. Through these personal interactions and partnerships with local galleries, this dual approach honors both the traditional value of original painting and the inclusive ideal that art should enrich every home.

MY GOAL

My work serves two distinct purposes: creating original paintings that become legacy pieces meant to be passed down through generations, holding deep meaning and memories for families over time. Alongside these, I produce archival-quality fine art prints that make my landscapes accessible across all budgets, ensuring that everyone can bring a piece of beautiful, lasting art into their space.

The same curiosity and wonder that bloomed in my childhood now flows through everything I do. This foundation shapes not just what I paint, but how I share it—creating work that invites viewers to experience the same sense of connection and discovery I felt as a child exploring the Michigan landscape.