My Story
In 2006 I traveled to Florence, Italy, and visited the banks of the Arno River. As I stood looking out at a dozen or more artists sitting in front of their easels capturing the scene, I was overcome with emotion and the deep desire to feel the paint spread across the canvas. Feeling joyously overwhelmed, and more than a bit confused, I could not make sense of it. I had never painted, I did not know how to paint, and I was not an artist.
Over the years variations of this experience would repeated itself with the same mental confusion. I did play with painting a time or two, but never really allowed it to take up permanent residence in my life as the judgments of who I was, and who I was not, remained stubbornly in place.
It was not until the summer of 2020 when I finally stopped questioning and simply gave myself permission to follow this impulse to paint and to see where it took me. The beautiful thing is that it has lead me to joy and to a much deeper understanding of myself and connection to the people and world around me. It has taught me that the closer I look, the more I see; that every project seems to have an ugly phase where the confidence wobbles and judgments threaten to take over; that underneath my fear is passion waiting to break free; and the more willing I am to be vulnerable, the richer my life becomes.
So, the next time you feel a deep yearning inside that makes absolutely no sense, listen to it. Do not question it, do not try to understand or make sense of it, and most of all, do not judge or dismiss it. Open your mind and heart to the possibilities and act on it for it just may take you on the most wonderful journey you never could have imagined. Venturing into the unknown is both scary and incredibly thrilling.
This website is dedicated to the creative spirit that lives within. It is my hope by sharing my story, my creative expressions and passions, it will inspire others to do the same. It took me a long time to realize that the most important job I have on this earth is to simply be myself, to share my joy, my happiness, my love and my life with the people and world around me.
Thank you for visiting and sharing this moment. And thank you to my friends and family who have helped me to believe in myself and the possibilities.
Resources for the Creative Journey
This section is a work in progress. Here you will find some of my favorite resources, or inspiring people and organizations who are doing good work. Check back soon.