About the Artist

I grew up in a tiny town under the belt of the bible, and I've been loosening that belt ever since. At 18 years old, I moved across the state to another small town for four years to attain a "reasonable degree" that would put my parents' minds at ease. While there, I also got  an 'unofficial art degree' by sneaking in the back of art classes and bugging my art major friends relentlessly to teach me everything they were learning. 

 

After four years of tightly packed schedules, I came out of college knowing one thing- there was no part of me that had any desire to spend the rest of my life working full time at anything I wasn't passionate about. So instead of diving into a career, I bought a van that was older than dirt and smelled like stale old cigarettes, cleaned her up enough for sleep in, gave her the name Solace, and took to the road.  Then, for nearly five years, I travelled around the United States searching for passion.

 

I have always been an artist. Looking back now, that seems obvious. As a child, I got in trouble for storing textbooks on the floor because my desk was filled with an intricate paper city populated by eraser citizens with tiny staple arms and legs. As an adult, I often try to make art with a message- most often to take care of yourself, others, or the planet. Although I do also often use my art as a dumping ground to clear out the weird goop in my mind. To stop making art, to me and so many artists, would be like turning to stone.

 

Still, it took living in a van with no room to store all of my paintings for me to ever even consider selling them. I knew I was an 'artist' thanks to inspirational quotes online- you know the ones that say stuff like, "anyone who creates art is an artist." Still, despite trying to absorb knowledge from every artist I met (and you meet a lot living nomadically) I didn't feel like an Artist for most of my life. 

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The fear of calling myself an Artist and being questioned on my credentials had me in limbo for way too many years,

 

It started with just giving art to people who were kind to me. After a while, though, I was creating way more art than I was meeting people, and it began to pile up. So I started setting up a free art stand everywhere I went. It was amazing to see people enjoy my art. I love to see my creations find a good home! Plus, a lot of people wanted to return kindness with kindness, so people started giving me food, money, even cool rocks in exchange for my art!

 

Eventually, seeing so many strangers take a liking to my art gave me the confidence to attempt a more professional approach to my practice!  In the past few years, I have become more settled (only moved across the country twice!), which has given me more space and resources for my artistic practice. I have also been lucky enough to follow the joy and passion I've found in creating and sharing art. In 2022, my art was displayed in the window of the Rudd Art Gallery. In 2023 I was invited to participate in the New Orleans National Art Show. And I'm looking forward to seeing what 2024 has in store!  

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If you've read this whole rambling journey through my life, thank you. I'm glad you're here! Check out one of the galleries if you're into weird art, or contact me with any inquiries.