“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” ~ Maya Angelou

My creative journey began at the age of five when I learned to sew and design clothes for my Barbie dolls. I was instantly captivated by the joy of creating something with my own hands, and that feeling never left me.

As a high school 4-H member, I continued taking sewing and design classes and entered a sewing competition sponsored by Woolite. I designed and created a dress and coat ensemble that won the contest, further encouraging my passion for fashion and design.

Wanting to expand my skills, I enrolled in Clothing Construction & Design courses at a local community college. While there, I entered an annual wearable art competition with colleges from the Los Angeles area and was awarded third place — the first time our college had ever received a placement in the competition.

I continued creating wearable art pieces that were featured in galleries, runway shows, and publications while also working and teaching at a local fabric store. My love of creativity eventually led me into the world of digital design, where I began studying Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign through graphic arts courses at another community college. I found the combination of art and technology exciting, inspiring, and deeply satisfying, which led me to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree in Visual Communication (Graphic Design).

During my studies, I took a watercolor class and immediately fell in love with the medium. I became fascinated with watercolor’s movement, transparency, and organic beauty, constantly exploring and experimenting with paint on paper. As my paintings evolved, I began imagining them as textiles and wearable designs. That discovery introduced me to the world of surface pattern design — a creative path I continue to explore today.

Today, I live and work in Nevada City, California, where my family has lived for five generations and where my husband and I raised our two sons. The natural beauty of the Sierra Foothills — from wildflowers and gardens to forest walks and changing seasons — continues to inspire my hand-painted watercolor artwork and surface pattern designs.