Self Portrait in Blue Artwork

Growing up near Portland, Oregon, I was immersed in art and nature. My parents encouraged creativity, allowing us to dip candles, build outdoor houses from tree branches, and even make shoes from magnolia leaves and packing tape. My mother, an excellent seamstress, and my father, a skilled woodworker, involved their nine children in their hobbies. This nurturing environment instilled in me the confidence to explore creative projects from a young age. My passion for fine art blossomed in high school when I received a set of oil paints. I began creating impasto pieces inspired by nature and ocean scenes. Eager to deepen my artistic knowledge, I pursued a diverse range of mediums after high school, eventually studying at BYU-Idaho College of Art. There, I explored oil painting, watercolor, line drawing, ceramics, and bookmaking, ultimately earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. This field has added a valuable dimension to my life as a fine artist. Today, I work in mixed media, creating abstract expressionist pieces with found items, embroidery, painting, and clay. My artistic process is intuitive and ever-evolving, influenced by nature and unconventional art supplies. Each set of works reflects my growth as both a human and an artist, as my materials and style continuously change. I create art because my soul loves it. I live with my husband, Lorenz, in the beautiful Sonoran Desert of Southeast Arizona. Together, we are raising four children and enjoy the company of our black Labrador, Cash.