revisiting a 2016 Carve Out Time for Art interview

I’m doing an instagram takeover over on Carve Out Time for Art’s handle @carveouttimeforart today. In the intro, Marissa Huber mentioned that she had interviewed me in 2016, which prompted me to revisit that, which was fun and encouraging. It made me even more aware of how little steps towards those big goals can really add up to something. I was just setting up a shop at the time and had aspirations of making patterns, designing wallpaper and creating public art. It is amazing how putting things out there does manifest those dreams and help them come true! I’ve since partnered with an amazing local company to create two beautiful wallpaper designs, and I’ve painted 6 murals!

We are often making progress towards our dreams even when it doesn’t feel like it. The mistakes and missteps count too, even if we are just learning what not to do. If you keep working away, eventually you will look back at those mountainous goals and realize that you might just have accomplished them.

Read the interview from 2016 here.

This collection of images shows some current work in progress… I want to make a deck of cards, and that was one of the 2021 goals that got lost in the pandemic shuffle. So, baby steps, I'm kicking off the year tackling one suit at a time. (Again with the boundaries!) January is all about creating hearts. Hearts represent feelings and affection. They carry senses of understanding and compassion. The heart is synonymous with love and they are the suit of spring – who doesn't want to fill themself up with lovely feelings and dream about spring in the middle of winter in Buffalo?

In the spirit of manifesting big dreams, I will share three of mine for this year – I want to create and produce a deck of playing cards, paint another mural, and license more of my artwork/patterns. Tell me, what are your goals for this next year? Let's cheer each other on!

Artist PopUp @ Hyatt's

I’m going to be at our local and lovely art store Hyatt’s All Things Creative on January 22 from 12-4pm. I'm bringing some prints, original artwork and other goodies, and would be happy to give tips or show you some of my favorite art supplies. I think they have demos and kits available for kids that day as well. Stop by, it will be so fun!

1941 Elmwood Ave, Buffalo NY 14207

Link to the facebook event page for more information here.

2021 Recap

Tis the time of the year to reflect on the year we are leaving and plot the year ahead!

2021 was a year of learning for me. I took an intensive art business class, and painted three murals. I stepped out of my comfort zone and gave a virtual talk at our local chapter of Creative Mornings. I designed a book and t-shirt for Silas’s graduating elementary school class. I held a studio sale, held true to sending out monthly newsletters. I took on a few new clients, worked with a photographer and dear friend to document my studio practice. I took a pottery class just for fun. I started showing up to a weekly writing group and was so inspired that I adapted the format to start building that sort of community as it relates to showing up weekly to make art. I met new people, deepened friendships and spent time with loved ones. I cooked a lot. I applied for residencies and public art projects. I played in the dirt and together with Aaron we overhauled our tiny backyard. I created two pattern collections and overhauled my website. While it wasn’t my best year financially, I worked really hard and have created a much clearer vision for what I want to do in the years ahead.

I've cleaned the studio and have been dreaming about all the things I want to do in 2022. While I love the idea of embracing a word to guide the year, I've never been one to be able to narrow it down to just one. I think last year I had four or more. This year I'm focusing my energy with one guiding anchor – PLAY. Magical things come out of allowing ourselves to play and I’m excited to dive in.

PopUp @ Eat Off Art!

This Saturday, December 18 from 12-6PM I will be at the Eat Off Art Retail PopUp at 431 Ellicott Street.

I will have postcards, ornaments, new artwork, hand painted cards, prints and pieces from the archive... Eat Off Art has hats, fleathers, artwork and inspirational apparel…come visit and shop!

Icing on the cake, Fitz Books is right next door and the WNYBAC last minute panic sale is also happening from 12-4pm that day, just down the street – yay!

Hope to see you there! Please note that masks are required.

2021 Holiday PopUps!

I’m planning to do two in-person pop-up events in Buffalo this holiday season. I’ll have happy, sparkly ornaments, postcards-a-plenty, hand painted rainbow cards and a selection of original artwork for sale.

Pop-up one takes place at Moriarty Meat’s new cafe on Friday, November 12 from 5-9 PM and Saturday, November 13 from 10-5 PM. In addition to myself, Alison Kurek will be showcasing her fun art and Rebecca Calvetti will have beautiful jewelry. There are 7 other artists and crafters bringing holiday cheer across the street in the Firehouse located at the corner of Elmwood and Great Arrow as well! More info on this event can be found on the Holiday Cheers at Firehouse Engine 36 facebook event page.

Pop-up two will take place Saturday, December 18 from 12-6PM at the Eat Off Art Retail PopUp at 431 Ellicott Street. I will be sharing details via facebook and instagram as they become available. Stay tuned!

Rainbow Connection Mural Update

The day after I sent my last newsletter, I found out that a mural design I submitted was open for public voting. I got an outpouring of love (and votes!) from you all… Thank you so much!!

The building owners ultimately decided to go with another artist. I really appreciate your support and encouragement – It means the world to me! I really love creating artwork in public spaces and finally added some examples of these projects to my website. You can check out my mural page on my website.

In case you missed it, the design is below… The site specific piece was titled Rainbow Connection, and filled a passageway between two buildings leading to a parking lot. The artwork shows a network of playful designs inspired by nature including flowers, paths and raindrops, flowing around the Erie canal and waterways that surround the area. I had hoped the design bringing a sense of optimism and wonder to the business district and spark a sense of joy for all ages. I had fun with the concept and will keep playing with it until it finds a home :)

big_long_rainbow_connection_v5mini.jpg

Year One of My LLC

We just wrapped up an end of summer getaway and I snapped a pic of this sweetest heart in the sky... I wanted to share it with you, along with a rainbow doodle made during a recent studio session.

In other news, August 20th marked the one year anniversary of my LLC. This year has not gone how I would have dreamed it would go (I know I am not alone there!). However, I was able to paint 3+ murals this summer, I started journaling and sending regular newsletters. I took the Making Art Work class – giving me tools to level up across the creative board, and also met a group of lovely women through the course who inspire, support and encourage me. I joined the Art Brand Alliance – another amazing resource helping and supporting me as I work to bring my creativity into the world in a sustainable way. I started carving out time for the studio weekly and have a foundation from which I can grow... so lots of good things! I'm excited to see how the rest of this year will unfold.


Thanks so much for following along with my journey. Big virtual hugs from me to you. Stay well!

Hallwalls A Mid Summer Night's Draw

Last night, I participated in my third A Mid Summer Night's Draw – Live Drawing Rally to benefit Hallwalls. 36 artists create a 12"x18" piece of art in their style in 45 minutes... so fun! Practicing for the event spawned two new colorful series that I hope to share on my website soon. This year, bidding is happening via silent auction and you can bid on the piece I created at the event (below, right) through tonight at 9PM EST. Bidding starts at $39 and there are 35 other awesome works available as well! I hope you will check out this link to bid.

So fun! Here is an in progress photo from the Winter 2017 event.

Yay for Birthdays

In 2013, I started to make art again after a 12 year hiatus. I started small, with 5 small pieces of art, every week for one year ­— and that became The 5/52 Project. Later that year, I purchased my domain name. It was a birthday gift to myself and an investment in my creative future. So, today I turn 42 and my website turns 8! (cue the confetti!)


week 40 colored pencil and acrylic on vintage photographs, 2014

It is amazing to look back and see how many of these elements that started my practice are still rooted in the work that I make now. I am still in love with color and its ability to conjure emotion and heart. I am still fascinated by photography and all the ways it shows us a point in time from a unique perspective. I still love projects and parameters to help shape my creative energy, and also enjoy a sense of playful experimentation in my practice. I am in awe of the creativity and endless beauty in nature and often seek its guidance in trusting the cycles of the earth.

Pick Me Up, mural Buffalo, NY, 2019

This past year, I have been tending to my literal and figurative garden – planting things, tending the soil, watering, and patiently waiting. I would never have imagined that the brushes I bought to learn painting and color theory in college would be used to paint giant murals 20 years later. Or that I would be following in the steps of many of my family members, embracing entrepreneurship and learning about the business that makes the art I love work.

I spend a lot of time thinking about an art filled future and planning what technique or strategy I want to learn next... What can I do better? I rarely take the time to look back at how far I have come. I've taken the scenic route or been detoured many times along this creative path, but have always found my way back to the road that calls me to create and share the wonders that I see.

Sending lots of love from me to you. I hope that the work I create brightens your days and offers a sense of optimism in this crazy world. I'm feeling so grateful for another trip around the sun and the ability to watch the seeds I am planting bloom in due time.

Thank you for supporting me in this artistic adventure – it is a gift and means so much to me!

160' – My Latest Mural!

This month was consumed by painting a 160 foot long mural – my biggest mural yet!

The project is a "Welcome to the Hydraulics District" mural located at 550 Seneca Street in Buffalo, NY. I was awarded the project by applying to an open call through Arts Services Initiative. The project was originally scheduled for installation in 2020, but was postponed last summer due to Covid. My concept was to create a welcoming wall with patterns and lettering stemming directly from a publication historically published by the Larkin Soap Company, The Larkin Idea.

The Larkin Soap Company, was a company founded in 1875 in Buffalo, NY as a small soap factory. It grew tremendously throughout the late 1800s and into the first quarter of the 1900s with an approach called The Larkin Idea that transformed the company into a mail-order conglomerate that employed 2,000 people and had annual sales of $28.6 million (equivalent to $369,472,000 in 2020) in 1920. The company's success allowed them to hire Frank Lloyd Wright to design the iconic Larkin Administration Building which stood as a symbol of Larkin prosperity until the company's demise in the 1940s. (Adapted from Wikipedia)

This area of Buffalo has changed drastically since we moved here in 2014 and my mural adds a bright pop of color to the industrial neighborhood. Here are a few photo highlights of from my eight days of painting. I learned to drive a big boom lift, which felt pretty awesome and Silas gave me a tiny felt cat that he made as a good luck charm while I was working.

I wrapped this up last week and still need to get back to shoot some images of the finished piece, but it was fun to see people using the wall as a backdrop for fun photos as I was finishing up. It was two years ago that I painted my first mural, and since that time the leap from small works on paper made in my studio to painting big walls out in public has felt massive. Big murals are a ton of work, but bring me such a sense of joy and fulfillment. I am so grateful that I can do this work!

Studio Sale 🎉

It is a crazy milestone to think that we have been in this pandemic for a whole year. Last March, I spent 7 days at a residency at Drop Forge & Tool – time that I used to dream for the year ahead. Things were getting very uneasy (and the toilet paper was disappearing off of the shelves) as I drove back from Hudson to Buffalo. Thankfully, we seem to be headed in the right direction with vaccines. Spring is in the air, and the bulbs I planted last year are about to start blooming. I'm hopeful that we will be able to get together again in person very soon!

The one year anniversary of this pandemic feels like such an appropriate time to let some of the Wish You Were Here series find new homes. The series was born in my Mother-in-law's kitchen and are rooted in connection, curiosity and wonder. I've also included many sketches from past collections that are all tied to themes of growth and renewal.

Check out the updated shop – there is a painterly sunset in Hot Springs, Arkansas; a rainbow in Glacier National Park; a dreamy river nestled in the Columbia River Highway in Oregon, and a solid as a rock giant rainbow in Yellowstone National Park. See if any special places resonate with you. Each piece includes a neutral frame, so they are ready to hang on the wall. They are like mini vacations you can visit anytime!

I also have one single pair of beautiful earrings that were alternates to the ones I made for the holidays. Take a look and see what treasures are waiting for you. Thanks as always for supporting me on this creative journey. I can't wait to dive into some new works in the coming months.

Family Promise Mural

Happy New Year and Happy Friday! I hope this finds you well. As we move forward from last year, with all its uncertainties and the time apart, I've been thinking a lot about the space between... the calm and the clouds, the light and the dark. This is the place where (when conditions are just right) the rainbow happens and where we gain new perspectives and rays of colorful wisdom.

I'm entering 2021 feeling even more grateful for all I have... the big and the small. For each breath and hug. For the ability to be creative and make things. The year ended with the beautiful opportunity to create an optimistic mural at Family Promise of WNY. I loved the time I was able to spend with the kids there and I'm so thankful that this organization exists in our community. The little girl below decided she was my supervisor on the project and encouraged me each day. So sweet! ❤️

I spent much of last year working on my creative business... way more time doing the left brain work than creative work! Those steps, like establishing an LLC, have laid the groundwork for me to focus on making this year and I’m very excited about that! We are spending the Buffalo winter hibernating and I am happily diving in to the studio to play. I have a big list of projects that I can't wait to dig in to. I also have two mural projects lined up for this year and am interested in adding a few more... reach out if you have a wall to paint!

Still TBD if I will jump on board for this year's 100 Day Project, which starts at the end of January. I'm planning to reach out a little more frequently and send a monthly newsletter in 2021 so I'll let you know in a few weeks! I'll be posting about it on instagram, I'm sure.