Lately I’ve been going back to adding collage elements in my art. I often use papers to create layers, especially when I need to cover up an area I don’t like. It’s an easy way to fill in the space and add detail. I love using origami and lokta papers that have intricate patterns and metallics (they can be found at many art stores, craft... Continue reading

My latest paintings are intended to inspire strength with softness. Since my art is a form of visual storytelling, I’m always looking for new ways to express this message. I take progress photos of my paintings to help me remember where I felt like giving up, when I thought I’d made a huge mistake and when I overworked a character (these things happen in pretty... Continue reading

Being loose and free in my art is something I’ve learned to do. Having fun and playing as I paint allows me to capture the whimsy and soul of my characters. I’m always taking photos of vast skylines, open fields and farmlands, so I often keep these landscapes in mind when covering up the white space on the first layers of a painting. I’ll squeeze... Continue reading

When I’m at a creative block, I have to turn off my inner critic and let go. But so often that’s way easier said than done. A few days ago I was painting and I started getting really negative about my art. My first thought was, “I’m bored with my paintings.” Then I thought, “All of my paintings are looking ugly or the same. I... Continue reading

My latest paintings represent freedom and femininity, so I’ve been inspired to keep my characters super loose with soft faces and wild color. I’m having so much fun dripping acrylic inks and acrylic paints and mixing them with my other favorite supplies like spray paint, liquid watercolors, water-soluble pencil, paint pens and oil paintsticks to see what happens. All of this mess making has brought... Continue reading

When I try to be loose in my art, it never works. Sometimes it seems like it’s only the happy accidents and mistakes that lead to freedom in my paintings. The other day I spilled a brand new bottle of yellow orange azo ink onto my near finished painting. The color spread all across my table, down onto the floor and seeped into pages and... Continue reading

When I’m stuck with my art, I go back to playing with first layers and using my favorite cobalt teal or florescent pink hues. Whenever I play, it helps me feel calm and connected. Then I can follow my heart and paint without the pressure of everything having to be perfect. So I wanted to share some of my fun, free painting videos with you.... Continue reading

Do you find it difficult to be loose in your art? I do (a lot). A few days ago I was painting and I started to feel like all of my characters were looking too painted on. You know, like the girl looked like I’d cut her out and pasted her on top of an abstract background. I just couldn’t loosen up. There was no... Continue reading

My faces always begin with the same color palette – a circle of titanium white mixed with a flesh tone. Then a layer of Quinacridone Nickel Azo Gold acrylic paint for shadows behind the eyes. This creates a surface with a bit of contrast so I can add my initial eyes and features. For cheeks, there’s a few supplies and colors I use in every... Continue reading

A few years ago I wrote a 300 page manuscript about enchanted fairytales. I wasn’t painting at the time. In fact, I hadn’t painted in years. All of my artwork from college had ended up in the basement. I didn’t see any point in painting anymore if I couldn’t do it full-time. I locked away that part of myself. Yet my creativity bubbled inside. So... Continue reading