In almost every painting, I reach what I call ‘the ugly stage.’ For me, that’s a super negative point where I feel like I won’t be able to pull my painting together or ever paint something I’m happy with again. But I’ve learned that hitting that ugly stage is just part of my creative process. Instead of allowing the negativity and self-doubt to take over,... Continue reading

Whenever I’m struggling to be loose in my art, I stop trying to make things perfect and do whatever sounds like fun. Lately that means dripping inks and watching the colors merge, then splattering watered-down acrylic paint on top to see what happens. I’ve learned that when I play, it reminds me there’s no right or wrong way. Then I can be brave and capture... Continue reading

Do you ever get stuck when you paint something new? I do (all the time). I hold myself back when I get too uncomfortable with my artwork – usually it’s when I paint a face that looks too weird and imperfect. I want to cover it up, throw it away and start painting the same way I did before. Oftentimes I’ll repaint the character with... Continue reading

Whenever I get stuck with my art, I start something new. But the other day I got so impatient waiting for a painting to dry, I completely ruined it. I overworked the eyes trying to make them perfect. Then I smeared out the entire face and nothing good happened. It wasn’t a beautiful mistake. It was a huge mess. That’s why I always have five... Continue reading

If I’m not liking my art, I have to cover it up. It’s usually the eyes and face I don’t like and it’s super scary to paint over them. I’m always afraid I won’t be able to recreate what’s already there (or do any better). To make it easier, oftentimes I’ll repaint the character with closed eyes – like I did with the owl in... Continue reading

Painting is an intuitive process for me. If I’ve the inclination to try a swipe of yellow orange azo ink across the body, I’ll swipe a thick layer along the bottom, then use what’s left on my fingertips to add polka dots throughout the rest of the painting to make it all fit together. But sometimes that doesn’t work out. The ink can smudge with... Continue reading

When I’m at a creative block, there’s no way I can be loose in my art. That’s why every painting I create begins with a playful background. This is my time to experiment and let go so I can be more free when I paint my whimsical characters. I try and remember to always have fun with whatever I’m creating. If I think too much... Continue reading

In 2009 I lost my job. To heal my spirit, I started painting again. As friends stopped by and saw my work, they encouraged me to have a local show. I asked at the library and in a few months hung my paintings and hosted an opening. It was mostly friends and family, but little by little people I didn’t know began complimenting and buying... Continue reading

I’ve added a few new original paintings to my shop… click here to see them all. These last few weeks I’ve been on an artist residency, soaking up new inspirations and painting my heart out. All of these latest pieces are inspired by my love of nature, but also the heart-centered-ness I feel whenever I get out into nature – whether it’s to relax and... Continue reading