Me
I am a wife, a mother, and a diagnosed chocoholic. Our little family has grown with two little gifts from God! Emmaline is our youngest, and Henry is our oldest. My husband, Evan, is our absolute rock and the best cook. We love hosting friends and family, even if it means we run out of chairs! In 2023 we built our forever home back in the peaceful countryside of little Garden Plain, Kansas. The house projects are endless, but getting to do it all together, building something from nothing, has been so special. Living right between both grandparents has been a dream (if you know you know), and we are so lucky to get constant visits from Aunts and Uncles. These two kids are growing like weeds, I don't know how we keep up with them some days!
For a little over 5 years I worked in residential new construction as an interior designer. I loved my job! However, I left my career in design in April of 2025 to be home with these cuties, and I never looked back. I set my art aside when my career took off so I could focus on our family and work, But now, I have felt called to return to my God-given talents and pick up my pencils again! Life has taught me many lessons, but one of the most important so far is to do what you love. God finds a way to open any door, and I am already finding so much joy. I love drawing plain and simple. I am one lucky girl to have such a wonderful support system, especially my amazing hubby. Any fellow striving artist knows that its no easy feat getting your work out there, so I truly do appreciate every kind word and recommendation people share!
I've had a pencil in my hand since kindergarten. It was something that brought me joy, as well as others. If you ask my mother, she would tell you she is still upset I gave almost everything away. I couldn't help it! I had a deep sense of joy every time I gifted my stick figure creations and saw the smile on their faces. My kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Pauly, kept a flower drawing I had made for her one day during class. I crossed paths with her as a high school student later, and she told me she still had it. She told me she knew I was going to be something special someday. People like her inspired me to continue to follow my passion.
Drawing brings me peace, and takes me to wherever the subject is. I have drifted back and forth with my drawing along the journey of marriage, motherhood, and homeownership. I am so excited to finally be brushing the dust off my utensils. My portfolio has grown from small gifts for family to meaningful portraits that brighten peoples' homes, workplaces, and create special gifts for their loved ones. There is always a unique meaning in every piece I do, and sharing that with others is the root of my love for drawing.
Pencil & Charcoal
Don't get me wrong, I LOVE color. I am deeply envious of other artists who have mastered it. But there is just something starkly beautiful about a black and white image. No color distracting from the subject or message. You are forced to look deeply into the natural and simple picture.
I have a fun story about how I really latched on to black and white art. My first year in college I signed up for a filler art class called - Intro to Life Drawing. Did I look at the class description? Nope. I showed up to class with my materials ready to go, ready to learn real techniques besides the ones I had taught myself. I sat down on my stool behind my easel, wondering why we were all sat in such a large circle around a raised block. If you hadn't guessed by this point, I had accidentally signed myself up for a nude drawing class. Did I learn a lot about real drawing technique? Yes. Did I read every class description after that semester? Absolutely. Someday, maybe, I will explain to my children why there are multiple sketchbooks of naked people in our basement...
But now, portraits of people in particular are my favorite. I get the opportunity to capture a soul, a memory, or just create a meaningful gift. I love it all.