If you asked me what I wanted to be when I was six years old, my answer would have been, unabashedly, an artist! (I even have a questionnaire from the first grade to prove it.) Art was my love from the beginning, whether it was snipping, pasting, or coloring in grade school, creating elaborate book or science dioramas, taking photos for the yearbook, doodling all over my notebooks during class (arguably some of my greatest work), or designing sets for theatrical productions in high school. My love of art followed me everywhere.

Along for the ride, my love saw me through three universities in two countries, three unpaid internships, and a myriad of professional and life experiences. Some personal highlights include living in Paris, France, creating whimsical windows and in-store displays for retailer Anthropologie, writing and covering events for Elite Traveler magazine, working behind-the-scenes on photo shoots for Chanel, The New Yorker, and Vogue Hommes International, and co-founding a media production company, all before setting out to work for myself.

When I was 26, all my experiences culminated into one giant epiphany: I should pursue my own artwork. And so, with my love in my pocket, I set about to reinvent myself. One year later, my first set of pen and ink drawings were released into the world, like a message in a bottle. I’m happy to report that the bottle was eventually discovered.

As an independent artist and illustrator, I’ve collaborated with brands such as Lacoste, Vans, Suzuki Motors, West Elm, HomeGoods, Inkerman & Blunt Publishing, Etsy, and Whole Foods Market, as well as galleries and shops around the globe. I’ve participated in an array of art events, sat on design panels, given lectures, been a contributor of print and online craft tutorials, and hosted how-to videos. But the best part of it all? Getting to share my work with you. (Yes, you, reading this page right now. Hi! Thanks so much for checking out my work.)

Whether you are six, 26, or 92, it’s never too early or late to follow your heart and embark upon something new. My love of art still follows me around (mostly as a gentle reminder to stay true), but I’m happy to say that our relationship these days is quite simpatico.

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You can see me in action co-hosting these Etsy How-Tuesday videos:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-make-a-pyramid-gift-box/
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-upcycled-gift-wrap/
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2011/how-tuesday-confetti-bomb/