My creative journey began in high school as part of the pioneering Artquest program, where I studied in an open studio environment alongside a cohort of student artists. The curriculum emphasized foundational college-level coursework such as color theory, 3D design, and life drawing, which I began studying at the local junior college at age fifteen. These early experiences instilled in me a lasting appreciation for collaborative studio environments, where dialogue and mutual respect fuel the creative process.

After high school, I pursued work that blended my love of art with community service. I volunteered with Creativity Explored in San Francisco before spending a decade with Becoming Independent’s ArtWorks program in Santa Rosa, where I supported artists with developmental disabilities. In this role, I collaborated with individuals to set creative goals, provided instruction in artistic fundamentals, and assisted in the production and exhibition of artwork. Acting as both advocate and exhibition lead, I organized shows in ArtWorks’ onsite gallery and at The Gallery of Sea and Heaven in downtown Santa Rosa. At the same time, I served as gallery attendant at A Street Gallery and Studios, a venue known for its commitment to underrepresented regional artists.

My personal practice as a figurative artist has developed in parallel with these community roles. For more than twenty years, I have exhibited my work and organized group shows throughout the region. In 2011, I put down roots in Petaluma, where I balance raising two children with an active creative life that includes teaching, curating, and renovating our family’s farmhouse into a hub of art, plants, and animals. I have worked with Alchemia Gallery as curator and art facilitator, and most recently as Arts Coordinator and children’s teacher at Artaluma Community Arts Center.

My current project, Cloudland, grows out of both my teaching and parenting. In an age defined by digital distraction and shortened attention spans, I see art as a vital way to restore patience, focus, and imagination. My curricula emphasize long-term project development, guiding students through the frustrations and triumphs of taking an idea from concept to completion. The process not only builds technical skills but also fosters resilience, pride, and the confidence to share one’s voice with the larger community.

As both artist and educator, I believe every creative voice has a place in the conversation. My goal is to cultivate spaces—whether classrooms, galleries, or studios—where discipline and proficiency are balanced with courage and authenticity. I see the act of making art as both deeply personal and inherently communal, a practice that strengthens our connections and contributes to a more sustainable and compassionate world.

Cloudland

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