My Lifelong Relationship with Art
I was one of those kids who was always drawing. Someone gave me a couple of Walter Foster How to Draw books, some pencils, and oil pastels. My favorite thing to draw? Horses. Yeah, horses. All through school, I loved art class. I had no idea what an art career would look like. I just couldn’t imagine my life without art. Sound familiar?
I grew up just outside Washington, D.C., but had never visited the National Gallery of Art, much less the smaller galleries or gone to any arts and crafts shows. I didn’t know the treasures that DC held. It was mostly where we went to buy alcohol after Virginia raised the drinking age to 21. But the art in D.C. blew my mind.
During the summer of 1984, at the ripe age of 17, I spent weekends wandering the galleries, soaking it all in. My favorite place was the East Building of the National Gallery. Even now, I can vividly recall the feeling of walking inside: swooning over the Matisse papercuts, the Picasso paintings, and the Henry Moore sculptures. After seeing the Andy Warhol prints there, I bought a book about printmakers and printmaking because I wanted to learn more.
I decided to apply to art school at Virginia Commonwealth University. The portfolio requirement was unconventional: drawing assignments like the inside of an umbrella, a standing figure, or the outside of a building. Alas, no horses. I spent one semester at VCU and loved the art program, but I couldn’t manage my finances. With no assistance from my family, I struggled to balance classes, work, and student aid. I took a year and a half off, attended Radford University for a year, took more gap years, and eventually earned an Associate in Science from USC Salkehatchie.
Then, in 1994, I applied and was accepted into the Visual Arts Program at Clemson University. Having completed most of my general education classes, I could focus entirely on art. At 27, I took my first ceramics class, and it changed everything. When you find your medium, you just know it.
After ten years, four colleges, and many twists and turns, I graduated summa cum laude in 1996 with a BFA in Visual Arts, concentrating in Ceramics. That journey taught me resilience, perseverance, and the importance of following your creative instincts, lessons that continue to shape my art and the way I guide others today.
After graduation, I divided my time between raising my two children and working as a studio artist. I experimented with clay, glazes, and forms, constantly learning and discovering what excited me most in the studio. I loved the meditative rhythm of throwing on the wheel, the unpredictability of glaze reactions, and the way opening the kiln door was a delight. For me, creating art has always been about curiosity, finesse, and the joy of problem-solving with my hands.
Today, I live in the Piedmont of North Carolina, and after several years hiatus, I have revived my home studio. I work on a much smaller scale now and enjoy the nuances of these smaller pieces.
Alongside my studio practice, I consult with artists and gallery owners, sharing insights I’ve gained over decades of navigating the art world. I believe that creativity and business don’t have to be at odds. Thoughtful, intentional practices can make both art and life richer. My goal is to help artists and gallery owners thrive while staying true to their vision, cultivating curiosity, and finding joy in the work they love.