I have always had a passion for the arts. Since my childhood I've been exposed to all types of art, from my grandfather's carvings to my mother's paintings. And I've always wanted to be an artist. I love each piece that I paint. Whether it is the streets of New Orleans or a calm bayou, each piece has a truly genuine flare. I think of each of my paintings as having a soul. I paint from my heart and soul. My pieces show a colorful love for the place in which I live and see each day. I try to capture the vibrant culture and soul of the places or things I paint. Most of my paintings have a lot of movement, my hand and paintbrush dancing. Sometimes, I've got structure; other times, free and loose. I have a trademark light blue color which fuses all of my paintings together, and for years has been the only color in which I sign.

Painting with acrylic helps me translate my passion for life. My inspirations inject life into my passion. One of my greatest inspirations in life is creating artwork. From a young age, my family encouraged me to pursue my love of the arts. I have never given up my dream. I also have been extremely inspired by music. Dozens of my paintings refer to certain songs or lyrics . Lively music really helps me to engage my work. Also, things and people I love spark my creativity. You can see certain people or things in my paintings over and over. You can spot my mother (in a red dress) and her white dog, flowing from place to place in certain paintings. Or more recently you may see the light blue and white travel trailer broken down in different areas. The places often show my favorites towns or locations, maybe even places where I long to venture someday again. I dream of traveling, and I paint out my dreams on many of my canvases to translate my desires of doing so.

When I am painting , I cannot finish a piece to which I am not attached. I am enchanted by the beauty of my past travels and homesteads; I feel it is my duty to translate these feelings to others. When people tell me that they interpret my pieces the same way they inspired me, I feel truly satisfied. Hearing that my pieces bring back childhoods, friends, family, fond memories, places, and favorite things reignites my spark to continue my passion. Moving from coast to coast, I've had my own experiences in developing my childhood, friends, and family. We moved from Virginia, South Carolina, Southern California, then finally stretching our roots out in Ocean Springs, Mississippi. I knew among the sand, oak shade, and azaleas of Ocean Springs, I was home. I did not stray too far from home even in schooling, attending college in Bay Minette, Alabama, and in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Unfortunately, though, while in Baton Rouge, my family home was destroyed by Hurricane Katrina. This event changed my life forever, although it has helped me to be even more determined never to give up my passion. I now reside in Mobile, Alabama. The home I loved may be gone; I may live away from my hometown. However, the sights and cities still inspire me to pursue my passion even more. Ocean Springs is still my home, and I return as often as I can.

After living in Mobile, Alabama, I have discovered another passion of mine: teaching art! I have been teaching art in a studio for over a year and have found such great joy in showing others how they can hone their artistic sides. Teaching children and letting them know that they can draw, or paint, or create is such a awesome feeling for me. I love how excited people, both young and old, get when it comes to art. I love sharing with them my views on how art is everything and everywhere, and art is something you can never "mess" up on. I love to encourage my budding artists. I have decided that teaching will be my next venture with my passion.

I studied graphic design, theater, and studio art at Faulkner State. Afterwards I attended Louisiana State University where I studied art education and studio art. I am returning to school in the fall to University of South Alabama to study art education.