I've been drawn to art - creating it, looking at it, learning about it - since I was a small child. In elementary school I was a Georgia O'Keefe fan and always the last kid in class still engrossed in the art project while everyone else had moved on to play time.

I went on to earn my BFA in Painting and Drawing and have since continued my creative practice, working mostly in oil paint as well as some encaustic, collage, and mixed media. As I began building a career, I found I was increasingly interested in not only my own art, but the larger role of art and artists in local communities and the world. That interest led me to my MA in Arts Administration, as well as to my current position with Where y'Art Works as Community Manager. 

As much as I'm excited by other artists, my own work is rooted entirely in my personal, even internal, experiences. I'm nostalgic and motivated by a fear of forgetting. When I look back at my paintings, I'm reminded of not only the memory depicted in the subject matter, but also my own processing of that memory, which happens through the meditative act of painting, getting mixed in with whatever else is churning internally at the time. They're like my personal, layered time capsules. 

Given that, I'm always pleasantly surprised when others respond to or identify with my work; it's an amazing way to connect with people. I also love the challenge of interpreting another person's memory, home, or experience, and happily take commissions! Send me a message to inquire.

Describe your art in three words.

intimate, painterly, nostalgic

Describe yourself in one word.

softy

What do you love the most about creating art in your community? What particular part of your immediate environment, in your neighborhood specifically influences your work?

I'm inspired by the memories and connections I make to my environment - often that's the homes I've rented (several midcity apartments have been subjects for paintings), and the natural environment as well. The feeling of walking around your New Orleans neighborhood is hard to put into words, but there's a potent creative energy there. 

Describe your creative process. Are there any rituals or rites of passage you exercise before you begin a new piece?

Usually a lot of time spent gathering thoughts, ideas, and visual inspiration, until a concept and/or mental image starts to form. Then there's the exciting rite of passage of taking a trip to the art store to buy a surface for the idea to live on.

Where do you draw inspiration?

Memories, all the homes I've had, sleep and dreams, old photos, odd moods you can't name.

Who are your artistic influences or gurus?

Peter Doig, Alexandra Levasseur, Remedios Varo, Andy Goldsworthy, Edward Hopper, many more

Art and music go hand in hand. What type of music, band or song lyric best describes your work?

Looking at the overall mood of my work, especially older pieces, I'm reminded of the so-called "Sad Girl" music genre, though I'm not neccessarilly proud of it. I think I'm mostly past my melodramatic sad girl phase, but there's still some moodiness and feminine energy there. 

Where can we find you when you are not creating art?

Hopefully outside with some combination of family, friends, food, and drinks. Or daylighting as the Community Manager for Where y'Art Works!

What is your favorite time of day/day of the week/month of the year?

First cool front of fall

What is something people don’t know about you? A fun fact.

I'm an aunt of five, and a devoted (anxious) mother to a spunky orange cat.

Works listed online may be available to be viewed at Where y’Art Works Gallery by appointment.

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