I love making quirky, beautiful things!
I have always been a maker, learning drawing and sewing from my mother. This passion became all-consuming, driving me to pursue a degree of fine arts and art history near my home at UNC Chapel Hill. After graduating college, I moved up to Washington DC to work with artists Lou Stovall, Sam Gilliam and Rockne Krebbs. Seeking a way to use art to make a difference, I went back to school at the Corcoran to obtain a degree in graphic design.
After a couple years working for large and small firm, I started my own firm, Studio Red Design. My mission-driven and full-service graphic design firm partners with educational institutions, mission-driven organizations, membership organizations and spirituality/wellness clients—on local and international levels—to provide quality and creative solutions to their communication needs. Hugely fulfilling, but I still felt the need to make. During a visit to New Orleans, I had the chance to stop by Betsy Younquist's gallery and was completely taken with her quirky creations so reminiscent of Edward Gorey and Tim Burton. Learning from local artist Tara Shimberg, I started making my own pieces!
I adore working with small beads as they always remind me of the importance of small things and bring me peace and patience (hugely helpful to a mother of teen twin girls!). I use found/recycled objects as possible as they bring a certain permanence and history to each piece. I draw from my art history background to incorporate symbolism, archetypes, and ideas to create wearable artwork assemblages.
