I painted this owl in the summer of 2010 and I wish I still had it. I didn’t have my own designated studio then, so as often as possible I’d paint outside. It had gotten so hot, my water soluble oil pastels melted in the sun. I should’ve moved into the shade, but I’d convinced myself I could finish this painting. I just didn’t want... Continue reading

I’ve been busy painting in my backyard, finishing up a few large pieces. I always try and remember to have fun with whatever I’m creating. If I think too much about the end result or painting what’s in my head or trying to paint like someone else, I either freeze or paint something lifeless. But I’m also trying to go a bit easier on myself.... Continue reading

I usually paint over a face several times. Yet every time I paint, I think it’ll just fall right into place. I’ve learned that if I follow my instincts and keep going, I’ll get to just where I need to be (eventually). But sometimes a painting just doesn’t come together. I try all of my tricks. I add origami papers for more detail (or to... Continue reading

My painting process is all about following my intuition. Yet sometimes I feel lost. I’ve no idea what to paint. I can have this idea to add a splash of purple red in the upper left. But I wonder why. Instead of questioning it, I just do it. Then later I realize that color is really a flower in my girl’s hair. It’s the overthinking... Continue reading

My creative process involves staying loose and having fun. So the first layers of my paintings are all about play and experimentation. My backgrounds generally consist of 3-4 layers (before I even think about adding a character). I love mixing together different supplies and colors, to see what happens. I allow myself to make mistakes and try new things. It loosens me up so that... Continue reading

“I’ve always been an artist.” That’s what I said to the gallery owner when I went in to get a job. He laughed, looked at me and said, “Of course you have always been an artist.” I was in a serious slump then in my early 20’s. I’d graduated college with degrees in fine arts and journalism, and gotten a “dream” job at an arts... Continue reading

Having a messy studio clouds my mind when I try to paint. I can never start a painting with a mess in my studio, yet I hate to clean up. So I have to make it easy on myself and keep my studio in what I call an organized mess. That means everything has its place in a box or bin and is very easy... Continue reading

My painting process is all about staying loose and free. But for a while I was feeling like a perfectionist, especially when it came to painting eyes and faces. I needed to loosen up and have more fun with my artwork. So I put on my favorite music and danced while painting. That worked (for a little bit). I could let go in the background... Continue reading

When I quit my job as an editorial assistant, I had no idea what to do next. I’d just come back from a life changing trip to West Africa and realized there was no way I could keep working in an office all day. So I moved back home to Wisconsin. A friend from high school happened to be in town. When we met for... Continue reading