Can you share a bit about your background and what inspired you to pursue a career in art?
I always dreamed of making a living at art, but being a young single mom, I needed a real job with benefits and good insurance. Fast forward to a thousand years later after my daughter was grown, I met my soulmate – best friend boyfriend and moved to New York to spend over a decade with him.
Because of him, I had the luxury of diving deep into art and studied and painted every day. He had a long struggle with cancer, and art became my coping mechanism and my sketchbook was my best friend to paint and write my feelings in. I took it everywhere. Now he has been gone for about three years, and I am back in California. I thank my lucky stars for him, and my art practice. I paint every day.
What drew you to the style of art you are creating and how would you define it in your own words?
Haha, my style has just evolved and is just what comes out of me naturally. I love bright colors, flowers and tiny details. I use all sorts of paint and pens, and pencils to create my work. I would describe it as full Nullsie, a bright, patterned, flower filled story of me. It’s maximalist and a little eccentric but it makes complete sense to me.
Can you describe your creative process? How do you approach a new project from concept to completion?
It depends on who it’s for or what it’s for. If I have a brief to follow or an art-director to report to, usually I do sketches or small paintings to make sure I am on the right track ( and then I just dive in ). If the instructions are to do it in my own style, I just dive in and start. No real process, except to paint a lot, ,swatch some color options and listen to music or a book!
Who or what are your biggest influences in art and/or design?
Let’s start with what. In New York, my boyfriend and I sold antiques at flea markets and several antique malls. I loved what we sold, all sorts of amazing collectibles with an emphasis on antique tins. I loved hunting for our wares at Estate Sales and fleas and driving around the East Coast, watching the seasons change, seeing all new things and places.
It has forever changed me, I like to include antiques in my still life’s and all sorts of memories in each painting. Now I love to drive around the coast, go to nurseries and everything I see or do inspires me. Flowers I see, antiques, storefronts, museums, music everything inspires me. Favorite artists and inspirational creatives include Mary Ann Moss, Mary Newcomb, Maira Kalman, and Matisse
What materials and techniques do you prefer to use, and why?
I use lots of watercolor both handmade and popular brands, I also use gouache and acrylic paints and paint pens. I like to use colored pencils and pastels and dip pens or sharpies to do details. I also enjoy collaging on my paintings. I love to mix different materials together that others might not, I find it fun and interesting.
Can you share any upcoming projects or exhibitions you’re excited about?
Collab with a clothing company, to be announced soon. I have a few new puzzles coming soon with Jiggy Puzzles and I am preparing for a top secret group show (to be announced). I just completed a 100 day project on Instagram and am planning another! I have to have about 25 projects going to be happy!
What do you hope people take away from experiencing your art?
I hope it makes people smile, that it makes them dig out a piece of paper and scribble on it, or buy a brighter shirt. I would like to hope they would look closer at things, smell the flowers and appreciate the things they see every day. I hope it moves them to create.
