Personal history leading to art education
My grandfather grew up in a small little town called Frisco City, AL. Once a year, families return with casseroles and cakes, down the very same red dirt road the horse and buggy did, to the white clapboard Scottish Presbyterian church that still stands. In that sanctuary, I feel an unexplainable peace. I didn’t grow up in Alabama, but after high school I lived there for many years. My heart is still there, I think the land of barbecue and endless clear blue sky is just in my blood.
I grew up in Tennessee with a view of the mountains as a backdrop. My backyard was wooded, and I spent hours making trails for my Schwinn and building tiny houses out of moss and decomposing branches.
My family went to the same beach every year, at the same time, and soon we realized the other same people did the same thing. To this day, my dearest friend is the girl I met at age 5, spending only a week together every year of our lives. Decades later, she is like a sister.
These things may seem insignificant, but they are my roots. It’s a sense of place, and the love for those who came before me that keep me grounded. Looking at a landscape, playing in the dirt, tasting the salt water – these are simple things that give me peace and help me remember how grateful I am just to be alive.
My earliest memories of art are sitting at the kitchen table, painting with a real set of watercolors or the gray clay that my mom bought me. For whatever reason, she recognized my creativity and invested in a few supplies. I also remember watching Bob Ross quite a bit, and that just makes me happy. One day during my senior year of High School, we watched a video about the life and art of Frida Kahlo in an AP art class. That was my first taste of art history and my realization that I knew very little about art. I never considered going to an art school or pursuing art as a career. Yes, I was good enough to be in an AP art class, but I felt pretty average at best.
EDUCATION
In college, I majored in Journalism/Mass Communication and Art. Art was really just for fun, I didn’t think I would use it in a career. I liked to write and paint, it was that simple. Later, I got the idea that I would like to write about art, which led me to get a master’s in art history. I also wanted to grow as an artist, and I had always felt like a fraud not understanding the history of it all. During that time, I was exposed to the work of William Christenberry, which inspired me greatly as an artist. It appealed to my sense of place and the past, and I realized I had something to paint about. Years later, here I am, back in school. There are many reasons, but the simplest one is that I want to know how to share art with others.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
My work experience has been incredibly fun. I began as an intern at Cooking Light magazine, wrote for regional magazines as a freelancer, worked at DIY Network, enjoyed amazing clients as a graphic designer; but the most incredible opportunity was working for Prentiss Douthit. He taught me graphic design, he showed me how to be fearless and to dive in before you are ready, and most importantly, he believed in me.
PERSONAL LIFE
When I got married, my dearest Pawleys Island friend’s father officiated. He closed by saying, “Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind.” I’ve had many reminders of our mortality. Recently, a friend lost their little son, and he used to tell them, “I love you too much.” I think we should all love too much. That phrase will always stay with me. Love too much.
After many years, I had the incredible gift of having two beautiful, amazing boys. I have never known love like that of being a mother. It has changed me in every way. It is toughest job I’ve ever had by far, and the most rewarding. I learned about sensory integration challenges, and my heart breaks when I think of how many children are mistreated because they are misunderstood. Every child deserves a chance, and every child is different.
I never imagined being in education, and yet, I have been given a great passion for it. Every experience I have had professionally and personally has led me to the place where I am now. It’s an intricate web, with so many twists and turns I cannot begin to explain it all. Yet, it all comes together, to this place where I am right now. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
I grew up in Tennessee with a view of the mountains as a backdrop. My backyard was wooded, and I spent hours making trails for my Schwinn and building tiny houses out of moss and decomposing branches.
My family went to the same beach every year, at the same time, and soon we realized the other same people did the same thing. To this day, my dearest friend is the girl I met at age 5, spending only a week together every year of our lives. Decades later, she is like a sister.
These things may seem insignificant, but they are my roots. It’s a sense of place, and the love for those who came before me that keep me grounded. Looking at a landscape, playing in the dirt, tasting the salt water – these are simple things that give me peace and help me remember how grateful I am just to be alive.
My earliest memories of art are sitting at the kitchen table, painting with a real set of watercolors or the gray clay that my mom bought me. For whatever reason, she recognized my creativity and invested in a few supplies. I also remember watching Bob Ross quite a bit, and that just makes me happy. One day during my senior year of High School, we watched a video about the life and art of Frida Kahlo in an AP art class. That was my first taste of art history and my realization that I knew very little about art. I never considered going to an art school or pursuing art as a career. Yes, I was good enough to be in an AP art class, but I felt pretty average at best.
EDUCATION
In college, I majored in Journalism/Mass Communication and Art. Art was really just for fun, I didn’t think I would use it in a career. I liked to write and paint, it was that simple. Later, I got the idea that I would like to write about art, which led me to get a master’s in art history. I also wanted to grow as an artist, and I had always felt like a fraud not understanding the history of it all. During that time, I was exposed to the work of William Christenberry, which inspired me greatly as an artist. It appealed to my sense of place and the past, and I realized I had something to paint about. Years later, here I am, back in school. There are many reasons, but the simplest one is that I want to know how to share art with others.
PROFESSIONAL LIFE
My work experience has been incredibly fun. I began as an intern at Cooking Light magazine, wrote for regional magazines as a freelancer, worked at DIY Network, enjoyed amazing clients as a graphic designer; but the most incredible opportunity was working for Prentiss Douthit. He taught me graphic design, he showed me how to be fearless and to dive in before you are ready, and most importantly, he believed in me.
PERSONAL LIFE
When I got married, my dearest Pawleys Island friend’s father officiated. He closed by saying, “Life is short and we do not have much time to gladden the hearts of those who travel with us, so be quick to love and make haste to be kind.” I’ve had many reminders of our mortality. Recently, a friend lost their little son, and he used to tell them, “I love you too much.” I think we should all love too much. That phrase will always stay with me. Love too much.
After many years, I had the incredible gift of having two beautiful, amazing boys. I have never known love like that of being a mother. It has changed me in every way. It is toughest job I’ve ever had by far, and the most rewarding. I learned about sensory integration challenges, and my heart breaks when I think of how many children are mistreated because they are misunderstood. Every child deserves a chance, and every child is different.
I never imagined being in education, and yet, I have been given a great passion for it. Every experience I have had professionally and personally has led me to the place where I am now. It’s an intricate web, with so many twists and turns I cannot begin to explain it all. Yet, it all comes together, to this place where I am right now. I can’t wait to see what lies ahead.
