Ever since I was old enough to hold a pen, I’ve been drawing. I would spend hours spread across the hardwood living room floor, papers scattered about me with half finished ideas, feverishly striking bold lines on paper as if guided by something bigger than me. My mother used to say, “One day you’ll be an artist.” I laughed it off, why would anyone pay me to make a mess like this?
For much of my life I have suffered from chronic migraines. Whenever I felt healthy, I rushed back to drawing, making up for lost time. Art became a way for me to process and overcome pain and insecurity. When I was bullied for my Georgian nose, I exclusively drew adorable creatures with abnormally large noses. When I struggled with my weight in high school my characters took on rounder shapes that tapered to the small pointy shoes of tip toed dancers. This worked—I began to see beauty in what once made me feel small.
Though art has always been personal to me, I fell, almost accidentally, into Graphic Design. After I came back home from studying animation in Leeds, I began receiving graphic design and illustration requests. I realized design allowed me to step outside of myself and create something collaboratively with my clients. The challenge of analytical problem solving combined with intuition and creative expression was intoxicating.
I am told my greatest strength—both as an artist and as a person—is empathy. I love connecting with people on a personal level, hearing their stories and what moves them. When I collaborate with clients, I want to know everything about their mission, values, and audience. Caring about the project together is when the work becomes meaningful.
I am currently working as a freelance Graphic Designer, Illustrator and traveling swing dance instructor (a story for another time). My speciality is branding and logo design but I am truly elated when I have the opportunity to illustrate. My recent goal is to break into publishing, specifically Children’s books.
I hope my work and my story speaks to you. If you’re drawn to my process and are open to working with me, I’d love to create something beautiful together. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and feel free to follow me on Instagram.