What are the themes or emotions you find yourself exploring most through your art?
You probably wouldn't see it, if I didn't tell you, but there is quite a bit of grief, sadness and even sometimes despair in my work. When I sit down in the space I create work, it's where I connect with my loved ones that are no longer here. I have photos of my two siblings, my precious dog Bones, my partner in Huf, Keith, and my Dad who was my sun, moon and stars on my wall where I create. I love to remember them, to miss them and to have conversations with them when I make my art. I'll stop what I'm doing sometimes and play the music box my Dad gave me a few months before he died. It plays "You are my Sunshine.” He knew what he was giving to me when he gave me that music box. I get into a real flow state when I make my art and the barriers between earth and the heavens seem to disappear for me. The bright colors you see and the humorous characters I paint and draw are my effort to always return to the light, to find joy and to soldier on with gratitude, celebration and a smile. Sometimes you can see sadness leak through in my work, but it's not my intention. I hope if you have a piece of mine on your wall that it makes you laugh, smile or feel warmth.
What has been one of the most unexpected lessons or challenges you've faced as an artist?
Internet trolls! One time a quite famous person put some of my artwork up on their many millions of followers Instagram account. They were expressing how much they loved my art, and the internet came after me with their torches lit. Most of the comments were about how my art looked like a five-year-old made it. I was really hurt initially because I thought that meant I wasn't a "good artist" (whatever that means). In time I was able to reframe it. Of course my artwork looks like a 5 year old made it. At the time of this internet witch hunt, I had less experience making art than your average 5-year-old. I'm now grateful to be free to create however I feel like creating, just like a 5-year-old does. I don't have the critics of art school or some professor's words in my head telling me my work is "too flat" or has used "too many colors.” In my head I'm totally free, and ultimately, that freedom of the mind is probably what made so many people come after me and say, "How dare she!" I'm not going to lie though, internet trolls are the meanest bullies around and for about three days I felt like quitting. Damn trolls.