Some of my best memories from my Texas childhood involve drawing and creating. My mother was regularly painting or doing calligraphy, which sparked my own creativity.  My dad would bring home giant stacks of used paper from his office and my little brothers and I would fill the blank side with wonderful drawings of whatever captured our imaginations at that time…fantastic creatures, kings, queens and castles, colorful animals, or Star Wars characters.  I was almost always creating something. 

The healing gift of creativity became tangible in my life after the traumatic death of my dear dad.  During this season of grief, I signed up for an art class through a city program. Once a week, I would drive across town to my class and pour myself into the project for the day.  As I would immerse myself in art, I recognized that those small acts of creation were bringing healing to my sad heart.

Since then, I have been on a mission to cultivate joy, beauty, and wholeness through contemplative creativity.  Creating with watercolors, ink, in my art journal, or on my iPad brings me great delight. And I’m passionate about helping others experience this delight, too.

My latest obsession has been with making patterns for surfaces (such as fabric, stationery, or home decor) from my art. It is so fun to see my paintings and sketches on actual products out in the world!