All my life, I've felt connected to something larger than myself and aware that there is more to this existence than we know. As a child, I often talked to God and seemed to see evidence of the divine everywhere, especially in nature and the faces of those I loved. I felt things deeply and was often moved to tears by beauty or excellence without really knowing why. I read tons of books, both for the worlds I got to explore and for the well-crafted sentences. I loved playing outside alone, crafting “pots” from creek bed clay and leaving them in the sun to dry. I drew and colored. I made potholders. I loved all kinds of artistic expression and especially enjoyed creating things that brought joy to others.

Back then, I didn’t imagine I’d be a “real” artist and channeled my creativity and compassion into becoming a nurse and massage therapist. Although I never completely stopped creating, it was not a large part of my life until 2008, when a friend encouraged me to try mixed media collage art. This versatile art form reignited my artful passion. Combining this love of art with over 30 years as a medical professional allows me a unique perspective which is insightful, inspirational and compassionate and I believe these qualities are evident in my highly textured and varied work. So many layers are usually present in my pieces. In the end, many of the first layers aren't even visible anymore, but that's okay. I know they’re there along with the energy and intention that went into creating them. Prayer plays a huge part in my creative process. Blessings for the eventual recipient of the work are infused in each brush stroke and glued in with every image.

In my years of work as a Holistic Nurse and massage therapist, I have had the honor of sharing some of life’s most tender and vulnerable moments with others. I’ve been present at the beginning and end of life and have touched people at many moments in between. Through this work, I’ve come to believe that it’s within the space of connection that true healing happens; connection with God, with others and with our own beautiful souls. I’ve also come to learn that this “connected healing space” can look like a lot of things. Sometimes it’s actual physical space. Sometimes it’s a pocket of time. And sometimes it’s quiet space in our own heart and mind. Creating and holding these sacred, healing, connected spaces both for myself and others is part of my calling.

For many, art can be a deep and powerful place to connect. The act of creating something can connect us powerfully to the core of ourselves, to who we were truly created to be. If we allow it to, this creative connection to ourselves and the divine can heal us. And when we then allow that creation out into the world, it touches someone else and an exchange happens. That person may, in their experience of our work, be healed in some small way. And on it goes. By making our things and allowing them to be seen, we contribute to the growth, change and radiance of the world. When we heal ourselves, we contribute to healing the whole. It must start with us, with each one of us doing what we can to move toward wholeness. Art can do this. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it.

I didn’t realize all of this when I first started making art as an adult. I just knew it felt good. That playing with paint, paper and glue in this new way was fun and touched something deep inside that had been suppressed. It felt real. It felt true. It was a way for me to combine images, textures, colors, and words in a way I had never done before, in ways that felt deep and meaningful and beautiful…and something unlocked in me. I’ve come a long way since those early creations, but I’ve never looked back, and I’ve never stop learning. Not only do I learn from others who do this work, but every piece I create also teaches me something new.

Touching, healing, creating, connecting…..that’s what I’m about. It’s my vision to make art that creates more beauty, joy, and wholeness in the world, and to invite others do the same.