My story
My passion for oil painting began in high school. Four of my seven class periods were art my senior year. I had my own studio, my own coffee pot, and endless materials to make whatever my heart desired. After an art history tour around Europe, I knew art was going to have a permanent place in my heart.
For four years, I studied Art and Business at Augustana College. I then decided to get my masters in Museum Studies. I worked as a curation assistant for the Figge Art Museum and the Rockford Art Museum while going to school. After graduating in 2019, I landed a full time curation job with RH in Minneapolis. I loved Minnesota, but no job is more important than family, so back to Oregon, IL we came.
If it weren’t for the support of my family and my incredible husband Adam, I would not be pursuing my dream of being a full time artist. It’s amazing how God works in our lives. “It needn’t an explanation” is a phrase that is dear to my heart; it describes God’s sovereignty and how we don’t have to wonder why things happen. He has a plan.
This is only the beginning. I’ve never been more excited to see where the future takes me, and I’m so glad you’re here on this journey with me.
Inspiration
My inspiration comes from many places. I’m fascinated with the human figure and faces. A question that I frequently get asked is, “What is your favorite thing to paint?” and I often say portraits. The fun and challenging thing about portraits is this: If someone asks me to paint a landscape and one of the branches on a tree is a little shorter or lower than in real life, you wouldn’t notice. But, if someone asks me to paint a portrait and their nose is a little shorter or lower than in real life, it will no longer look like that person. It’s a challenge, but so rewarding when you get it right.
I’m also inspired by paint itself. Oil paint, in particular, is a thick creamy medium that can have such a beautiful texture and blend. I will often leave texture in my work to increase visual interest. While oil paint can be a pricier and more complex medium, it has a richness that you won’t find in any other medium.
Because my inspiration comes from many places, it’s hard to pinpoint an exact style to describe my work. I love to experiment with different techniques and enjoy expanding my portfolio. If you have a vision of your own for a painting, check out my custom page!