I give my high school teacher, Mr. Earl, credit for most of the knowledge and foundation that I have in art today. If it weren’t for him, I wouldn’t have advanced as fast as I did into the artist I am now. He taught me how to teach and grow myself through practice. I always thought my pieces were complete and perfect, but he was always able to find something off. If he did, he’d ask me, “you’re finished? Are you sure?” Of course this would prompt me to ask what was wrong with it. His response was always “you tell me.” This response was frustrating at times, but it forced me to really study detail more and trained my eye to tell if proportions or angles were off. If I couldn’t guess what was wrong, then he would help me. Though it was a difficult method of teaching, it was very beneficial and helpful.

Starting college was a whole new adventure for me. Originally, my dream was to become an artist for the biology field. However, with a lot of prayer and consideration, I quickly changed my major to psychology in order to pursue Art therapy. College was an amazing experience. I took many art classes for my minor and was able to explore so many different mediums from watercolor, to pottery, to even crafts. The number one question I received in my years was why I wasn’t a major in Studio Art. I ask myself the same question sometimes, but at the time my idea was to get a better foundation in psychology for my eventual career in Art therapy. I am grateful for having majored in Psychology, but I am also grateful for the professors I had in college. They challenged me in ways that helped me grow even more into my passion. One has passed since, but I credit Professor Perry to helping me grow more in painting skills and teaching me how to value my artwork.

Being a professional artist has been my dream for as long as I can remember. My style is mostly realistic with some variations of Impressionism or surrealism. My passion for creating art stems from my love of interpreting Scripture into art. In addition, I love telling stories through art whether it is my own story or someone else’s story. I also love seeing people’s visions brought to life. Most of the commissions I have done are of images that people envision but cannot quite put it together themselves. One in particular that I have also had recently was of a dog who had passed. The puppy’s favorite place was on a particular river that the family traveled to for vacation. Unfortunately, the images they had of the puppy were mostly dark or were not the greatest images of the dog in the river. So, they asked me to take two images and make a painting. It was a beautiful and bright image of the river and a good image of the puppy. After it was completed, they were pleased with the painting and fervently expressed how much it looked like their favorite pet.

My art has been displayed in many art shows, in libraries, in a senator’s office, in restaurants, in coffee shops, on album covers, on clothing, and in a magazine. I’ve met many great people over the years and have heard so many amazing stories through the commissioned pieces that I’ve painted. In addition to producing my own artwork, I privately tutor young, growing artists.

I'm very grateful that God led me to become an artist and an art teacher. I'm also very grateful for the support that I've had over the years from my husband, my family, and my friends. It's truly been a blessing to have so much support as an artist.

I believe that anyone can make art, but it's those who make it a priority to practice that become great. My other belief is that art can be healing. In the stories that we tell, both good and bad, art is an amazing way to process things healthfully. 

Therefore, my hope for my business is this, that in the time you have taken to know my story and to view my art, that you may gain a newer, greater value for art and artists in general. Art is in everything. Every being is a work of art. So, it is my wish that when you see a piece, you're moved and inspired by the stories it may carry. I hope you enjoy the stories you learn here.