Hello, so nice to meet you!
I’m an artist/illustrator traveling full time in a converted camper van. I try to capture on paper that feeling of wonder that I get when I’m out exploring in nature. I’m on a mission to spread that joyful feeling to others.
I have over 15 years experience working in the arts and crafts industry. My work for Hero Arts has been in major retailers worldwide including Target, Michaels, JoAnn Fabrics, Paper Source, Home Depot and World Market. My photographs have been used on websites and in publications by Hero Arts, the Native Prairies Association of Texas and the Native Plant Society of Texas. In 2015 I became a full-time freelance artist, and I started traveling full time in May 2024.
My specialties include:
- Over 20 years of experience teaching art to groups large and small, both indoors and out
- Mediums: watercolor, gouache, pen and ink
- Focus: landscapes, nature journaling, botanical illustration
- Painting quickly outdoors using minimal supplies
I have a Master of Science in Mathematics with an emphasis in Computer Science and previously worked as a senior software engineer, including 10 years at IBM in the security software space and another 10 years as at Hero Arts. (Find my tech resume here.) I truly believe that if I can learn to draw and paint, anyone can!
Volunteer work includes:
- Design and maintain the website for the Native Prairies Association of Texas
- Two term president of the Austin chapter of the Native Plant Society of Texas
- Leading field trips for the Native Prairies Association of Texas
- Vegetation monitoring at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
- Workdays for the Austin Parks Foundation
Elsewhere:
- I am proud to be a Brand Ambassador for Art Toolkit, maker of minimalist watercolor tools, where I share inspirational watercolor projects through blog posts and social media
- I served as an Artist in Residence at Valles Caldera National Preserve in August 2024, where I taught 2 nature journaling workshops, collaborated on social media posts, and hosted an open house.
- I’m excited to be selected for an upcoming Residency at Capulin Volcano National Monument in October 2024
- I am honored to have my botanical illustrations in Wildflower Magazine, a publication of the University of Texas at Austin Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center. Illustrated articles include “Seed Pods”, “Best Buds”, “Winter Berries”, and “Fetching Foilage”
- I was honored to be a guest on the Journaling with Nature Podcast with Bethan Burton.
- Guest artist interview on Doodlewash
