I am a native of Southeast Minnesota, and have always been drawn to color, sound, and organic forms since I was a young child. I create with emotion and by following what I interpret my heart is telling me rather than following reason and logic of what my brain is telling me the majority of the time.

I received my BFA in studio art from Viterbo University accompanied by minors in psychology and Spanish language. I completed my MA in Psychology with a concentration in child and adolescent psychology from the Chicago School of Professional Psychology. Following my grad studies, I accepted an invitation from the United States Peace Corps where I served 27 months as a Special Education Youth Developments volunteer in Peru. During my service abroad, I focused on engaging youth and adults alike to develop and strengthen leadership within the community through the creation and implementation of positive youth development strategies and programs. In any additional time I had, developed and implemented art workshops for community youth, and participated in various art exhibitions in the nearby regional capital.

When it comes to my art, my techniques and ideas stem from the world around me in full. This includes not only the visual, but allowing myself to be present and fully engaged with the sounds, smells, and movement around me. This harnesses the diversity, emotion and experience that are the driving force behind everything I do. The uniqueness in every element that makes up this world and every moment we experience makes life that much more beautiful, vibrant and, tolerable.

Eventually, I would like to start a community organization where I am able to focus on what I love doing most and that is helping and teaching. To be able to help individuals and do so through the exploration of creativity to heal, grow, and build upon the positive energy and beauty around us would be a dream come true.