My work is rooted in the belief that divinity lives not above us, but within and between us. The sacred we are naturally drawn to seek is here, now and for everyone. Central to my practice and vital to our human continuance is a reframing of these foundational values so unjustly denigrated by patriarchal structures. Softness is strength, nurture is necessary, beauty is a balm, intuition is insightful, the feminine is an absolute force. Becoming a mother of two daughters in the last 5 years has driven deep into my core the primordial understanding of a woman’s supreme strength and generative power. Motherhood is cosmological, and the alignment between the maternal body and the Earth itself is raw and real no matter how much we are socialized to believe otherwise. We must realize the interconnected sanctity of women, children, and the Earth to not just survive as a collective, but to thrive as a community. Through vivid color, organic forms, and devotional imagery, I recognize artistic expression as contemplative care, offering small moments of harmony and reflection amongst societal and ecological chaos while seeking to inspire the viewer to dream of what could be.

Based in New Orleans for the last 12 years, my artistic practice is deeply shaped by a place that understands the interconnectedness of loss and celebration, fragility and endurance. The land, the water, and the people who form the unique identity of New Orleans hold a generative power that man-made exploitation can’t seem to conquer. The vitality that thrives despite dysfunction is spiritual. Survival is inseparable from creativity, freedom, joy, love, pleasure, vitality, renewal and ritual. 

My paintings draw directly from this spirit, holding tight to a future rooted in connection, compassion, and vibrant aliveness. I hope to inspire remembrance of what truly matters, and faith in our shared ability to protect it together. My creative philosophy is a call to return to reverence for what is worthy within and beyond ourselves. Everything that capitalism has deemed expendable is actually essential, and fun is not frivolous. Collective imagining is a tool for preservation and transformation, and art can help connect us for the path forward. 


How these ideas show up in my work thus far are as follows: 

My oil paintings, which I call ‘Where-Scapes', explore imaginary spaces that linger between worlds and inspire a sense of curiosity as a coping mechanism for loss. I am thinking about the dualism of absence and presence, exploring where a human imprint is felt in an ethereal space and where light can emerge from darkness.

My 'Saints' are created on salvaged wood using acrylic or latex paint. They are imaginary deities inspired by the celebratory spirituality of New Orleans, containing elements of medieval iconography, Russian nesting dolls, contemporary street art, and American folk art. These goddess figures are intended to bring good energy into the spaces they inhabit. They are a meditative release to create, an opportunity to play with color and pattern in inventing character and reflecting on the importance of matriarchal figures in daily worship. 

My murals involve layers of botanical imagery, encouraging reflection on the unparalleled beauty of our natural world. I hope to inspire a sense of joyful calm within small businesses and homes in the city, similar to that which can be achieved in nature as a reminder for the value of its conservation.

I am very grateful to Where Y'Art and the Nola Media Group for having me participate in the 300 for 300 project, highlighting remarkable people who have made invaluable contributions to this beautiful city. I did all of these portraits in gouache on paper, using information gathered through research to include elements of each persons story in their portrait. I learned so much about these fascinating people and honed some portrait skills along the way. Please check out the book that compiled everyone's amazing work on this project if you did not catch it coming out in the papers at the time. 

Describe your art in three words. Oil Series: Layered, pensive, atmospheric Acrylic Series: Playful, colorful, detailed.

Describe yourself in one word. Passionate.

What do you love the most about creating art in New Orleans? What particular part of your immediate environment, in your neighborhood specifically influences your work? New Orleans is overflowing with visual inspiration. I am constantly awestruck by the unique sky, because it always feels so close; the colors and clouds are shifting and spectacular. I am also influenced by the power of water, which New Orleans obviously has a significant history with. The water here represents both a support of life and a source of destruction, a yin and yang that is a frequent theme in my paintings. Mostly I am inspired by the incomparably supportive community of truly unique people; citizens of New Orleans manage to be both so tough and so genuinely warm. I feel utterly blessed to be here, absorbing the rampant creative spirit of this wild and colorful city.

Describe your creative process. Are there any rituals or rites of passage you exercise before you begin a new piece? I like to have a clean, dedicated space, and I love opening the windows to let all that New Orleans air into my studio. For oil paintings, my ritual is in the layering, as I apply the layers in a similar way on each piece. I paint very intuitively, so I don't plan specifically what will happen, but I generally have an idea for color fields or draw from photographs or dreams I've documented. For acrylic and illustrative work, I typically begin with a primed shape and fill in the personality by building with color and pattern. For murals, I lay out my paint by color theme and work slowly, background to foreground.

Where do you draw inspiration? For my oil paintings especially (but also in general), I am inspired by ideas of mortality and transience. I think about the visual qualities of shifting light, the ebb and flow, and utter power of water, the layers and fascinating mysteries of the earth. The delicacy of our existence is made bearable by the strength of human connections, the wonder of what comes after life balanced with a relishing appreciation for the present. I am fascinated by the power and fragility of the human body, including our memory with its inevitable gaps and inventions. I am rooted in awe of the incomprehensible vastness of the universe, and our human depth and complication despite being so comparatively small. I am always wondering about how much we have learned but how little we really know or appreciate about the space we inhabit. Above all I am inspired by the under appreciated strength of women and expressions of femininity in all its forms; I like to combine that power with botanical illustration to bring us back to the earth.

Who are your artistic influences or gurus? Too many for a short list...For the WhereScapes I consistently go back to Turner, Turrell, Monet and a contemporary painter named Claire Sherman. The drawings and acrylic pieces are really inspired by growing up on Howard Finster and Mose T as well as a myriad of contemporary street artists; I love the playfulness, aesthetics and impactful social commentary that is possible through street art. Some of my favorites are Swoon, Faith47, Blu, Aryz, Os Gemeos, Jaz, Herakut, JR, Banksy and bmike...but there are so many more. Henri Rousseau is hugely influential for botanical mural work, and since I've started with that style I've come across the work of Pastel and Ouizi - love their colors and compositions.

In New Orleans, art and music go hand in hand. What type of music, band or song lyric best describes your work? Emmylou Harris' Wrecking Ball album was a childhood favorite and still strikes a specific emotional chord with me, always making me think about the subtleties of memory. It has beautiful layers of sound. In general I love most music but tend to gravitate towards lush, dreamy R&B. I also listen to a lot of podcasts when I'm working.

Where can we find you when you are not creating art? You can find me popping up with my sustainable styling business, Lush Hussy, or having adventures with my daughters in the sunshine - enjoying this pace of life with the people I love.

What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year? Magic hour is my favorite time of day, when the sun softens and warms but twilight hasn't quite hit yet. Everything has a radiant quality and it's just so beautiful. Sundays are my favorite days because they are so leisurely and celebratory, most especially in New Orleans. I honestly love all the seasons here because I don't mind the heat, and luckily we don't stay cold for long.

What is something people don’t know about you? A fun fact. I have moved 11 times over the course of my life to different cities and countries, but New Orleans holds my heart in a way I know is permanent. I have now been here longer than I have been anywhere - this will be my 13th Mardi Gras! I love to travel but the feeling of finding a real home is truly special. I smile uncontrollably whenever I land at Louis Armstrong Airport.

All works listed online are available to be viewed at Where Y’Art Gallery by appointment. Please send me a message with inquiries. 

Buyers are responsible for shipping costs, which will be individually calculated for each painting and depend on size and destination. Each shipping cost will be reflected in the listing for the work. I take great care in the packaging of each piece to ensure its safety during transit. Local New Orleans delivery or pick-up is encouraged. Available items will ship within 5 business days and will come with insurance and tracking.
For international shipping, commissions or any other questions,  please send me a private message through my profile page.