I have spent my life gravitating toward anything in the arts - whether it is writing, reading, sewing, theatre, or creating art - I do not feel like I am truly living if I am not engaging in or with some sort of creative endeavor. My teenage and young adult years were spent creating mostly in pen and ink along with some oil painting. As an adult I have found acrylic painting with mixed media incredibly exciting. In 2020, I embraced a heavily textured mixed media abstract painting style. Although I did take several art and painting classes on my way to earning a masters in education, I had been mostly self-taught. However, I am currently working toward a  Masters in Fine Arts through Athens State University in order to explore and expand my creative abilities as well as knowledge of the craft. 

I am inspired by the natural world as well as our human need to connect through the written word. I want the viewer of my work to FEEL something. The beauty of subtle variations of tone over dramatic contradictions in texture creates a visible effect in my abstracts that inspires the viewer to want to reach out and feel the transitions. Using various materials such as resin, acrylic paint, pages from my favorite novels (usually The Great Gatsby), and modeling medium, I create a chaotic texture and tame it with a soothing mix of color in my abstract paintings. Whimsical birds and other objects are sometimes featured. My work has moods: tranquil (peaceful subtle colors), joyful (vibrant colors), and sentimental (muted colors). Although I have always painted, I began focusing on my abstract painting in 2020. Currently, in addition to the abstract style, you can find me exploring a narrative style. 

I am a secondary technology coach by day and an artist by night. I have a BSEd in Secondary English Education, a Masters degree in Secondary English education, and masters work toward a  library media degree.

My goal is to not only continue to grow as a lifelong artist, but also to encourage, support, and be a part of the growing arts community in Decatur.