Exploring a new creative direction as painting moves from canvas to wearable art through hand-painted clothing.

I didn’t set out to be a self-taught artist. It's just how things unfolded. Being self-taught isn’t something I wear as a badge of honor, but it is the path that’s felt most natural to me. Over the years, I’ve thought about taking formal art classes, and I still might, but there’s something about learning on my own time and in my own way that really suits my creative rhythm.

One of the most common questions I get as an artist is, “Where do your ideas come from?” While I wish I could say there’s a well-organized mood board or some mystical method to the madness, the truth is it usually starts with color. Inspiration, for me, is an ongoing conversation between my inner world and everything around me.

One of the most rewarding parts of my creative life is teaching. Watching someone who believes they “aren’t an artist” walk away with a canvas full of expressive color—and pride to match—is what keeps me coming back to the studio.

When I start a new piece, especially with acrylics, it usually begins in abstraction. I lean into the physical process—throwing paint, splashing water, and letting color collide—allowing intuition and spontaneity to guide what the painting wants to become.

I’ve been told I should “pick a lane” with my art, but that’s never how my creativity has worked. My process thrives on exploration, detours, and trusting the thread that runs through everything I make.

Creating art has always been part of who I am. As I step into life as a full-time artist, I’ve learned that the real magic isn’t just in the process or the finished piece—it’s in the connections art creates between people.