I didn't follow a traditional path, but I wasn't exactly self-taught either. Although most of my work consists of acrylic and watercolors, I especially love working with oil paints. Through a combination of curiosity, experimentation, and practice, I learned how to make art with whatever materials were available. My mediums and methods may continue to change, but creating art will always be a part of who I am.
I remember being a child and pausing The Lion King over and over again, rewinding the tape just right so I could pause it on the same frame I had been sketching from before. I remember feeling proud of my work and showing my mom—who, now I can say has been my biggest cheerleader when it comes to following my creative dreams. But back then she thought I traced that first picture of lion cub Simba, giving me one of the old side-eye with a 'hmm' when I bragged about drawing it on my own.
Drawing didn't take off for me there though, as a child, and just as I am now, I had many interests. When I was asked what I wanted to be when I grew up, I told people I wanted to be an actress, a model, or an artist. Naturally, we lose sight of childhood dreams as we become adults. But they never completely disappear—even if the vision of them changes.
High school art class was intimidating. The halls of my school were decorated with masterpieces I was certain I couldn't compare to. I never took any other art classes after sixth grade, which I can see now was a little silly because I remember my art teacher entering a coloring of a scarecrow into an art contest. It didn't win, but it should have given me a clue that I was decent enough to take an art class.
It took a long time to call myself an artist.
Eventually, I enrolled in a college theatre program. I wanted to be on the stage, but I found myself in the paint shop much more frequently. Although I like performance, the simplicity of sitting in a studio, playing with different techniques, texture, color, all the possibility that lives in a few materials, provided a safe and soothing contrast to the excitement of the stage.
I never imagined I would use the skills from my scenic painting classes to create artwork. But it was there that I learned various techniques and how to mix and match, making an array of colors to create with. While I wouldn't step away from the rush of performance completely, painting would prove to be a positive step toward expanding my horizons.
Years later, after spending time pursuing acting, I found myself drawn inward, seeking other ways to stay creative. I enjoyed painting ceramics from time to time as a hobby, but I wanted to try something completely different.
That's when I began painting pictures using photographs I had taken on a trip and those same craft paints from my holiday hobbies. I didn't necessarily try to make them exact. I loved using the ultra vibrant colors that were louder than life.
One of my first paintings came from a photo I took at a little bed and breakfast on Solomons Island, Maryland. A few months later, I turned that image into a painting, then I created a few more.
It wasn’t something I did all the time. Much like I am now, I go through phases. Sometimes I like to work quietly, away from the world, in my studio. Other times, I like to be out in the world exploring and capturing my experiences with a camera. I often paint from the photos I’ve taken.
I had been working at a sip and paint studio for a couple of years when I had an unexpected opportunity arrive I could not pass up. So, in August of 2019, I moved to Sint Maarten to work in a gallery and teach art at a foundation. Quickly, my life took a dramatic turn.
Things didn't go quite as planned.
It didn't seem long before the entire world changed and I had some serious considerations to make, all while not knowing what the future would look like. There I was, though, on a tiny little island with my dog and two cats.
During the lockdown, like so many people, I found myself reconsidering what came next. I decided to stay on the island and eventually started my own business, The Party Palette.
“We bring art to the party” was the idea—but it was only me.
I imagined classes, events, and creative experiences of all sorts, but I soon discovered that people were often interested in my own artwork. I began making prints and creating new pieces inspired by Sint Maarten—the beaches, hills, buildings and everyday scenes around me.
My art journey has evolved from a creative outlet during a time of quiet contemplation, into a pursued profession that supported me, and back into a hobby — something I turn to not only when I feel the urge to create, but as a tried and true process for self-regulation.
I discovered that when my art became a means of livelihood, a subtle pressure settled over my work. Creating art became a different process once I began to focus on popular products. I created magnets and other small souvenirs, giving customers a little piece of original art to take home.
I met people from all over the world and shared a little bit of art and my story with them. It wasn't exactly the plan when I was forming my business, but soon walking the beaches or finding a spot to set out some of my work became a regular work routine.
I was happy to receive support from locals as well. I started branching out, completing a few murals for some small businesses, and I even took on a commission to paint hats for a local boutique.
I began to think of painting differently. It was a technical skill I could use to support myself, and it didn't matter if I wasn't making my art. I began to appreciate my own work even more, remembering when I could spend days and even weeks on one painting with no external pressure. I missed the creative freedom.
It was then I realized that it doesn't matter what work you do in life, what matters is how much you value yourself and the work you do. I was always happy when customers were pleased with my work, but it's even more special when someone connects with the piece I was inspired to create.
Over the past year, I have found myself, yet again, turning inward and seeking a different outlet. Creating art, for me, can be very regulating. I describe the process in this blog post about creating small mosaic tiles. It is an ongoing personal project to soothe and satisfy my soul.
I haven't stepped away from painting, but I have slowed down at the moment as I dedicate time to other areas.
I have also been taking an active interest in a different kind of art — although I may get some pushback when I call it that — in the form of technology. Learning to code and create a website has been very rewarding.
Soon, I will have a shop available for purchasing art products. I’ve learned that my creative process is meant to be savored, but I am open to commissions when the work resonates with me.