Tell us a little bit about you and your background.

I work with a lot of mediums but primarily painting. Creating is essential to my ability to function, so I’m always working on something/learning something new! Drawing (pen and ink, colored pencil, graphite), embroidery, digital art, video, and as of late stained glass are some of the mediums I’m most drawn to. The majority of my work in the past couple of years has been murals. Some themes in my artwork through the years are humor, whimsy, and joy. I love to bring joy to people with the goal of making art that is accessible to everyone, especially those who think they don’t know anything about art.

What attracted you to work at One River School?

I started off as an intern in 2018. I had always thought I wanted to be an art teacher since I was small, but once I got to college I ended up majoring in art, and media studies without getting an education degree. So the idea of hiring practicing artists without a necessary degree in education sounded like the best of both worlds.

How would you describe what it is like to teach here?

It is fun, positive, challenging, and rewarding. It’s great to get to know the other teachers and learn about their practices. I also like that the students are given a lot of freedom in what they create unlike some other art schools. Since I’ve been here, I’ve made great connections with both staff and students. It feels like a positive place to grow, and an encouraging safe space for the students to develop their art and ideas.

What makes attending classes at One River fun and compelling?

The small class sizes let me get to know my students a lot better and helps create a little community where we can encourage each other. I’ve had a good number of students for the past few years and it is so great to walk along side them as they grow and see how their art changes. I like the variety of projects, and have found it helps me in my own practice try things out I wouldn’t have otherwise.

Is there a special One River moment that stands out for you?

Nothing too specific, but anytime I have students look at their old art and see what they’re doing now they are always proud of themselves. I love hearing what they say and when they bring in their own art outside of One River to show me. Seeing them excited about the art they create and being so engaged is amazing!

What do you enjoy outside of One River?

I love working on art and bounce between mediums frequently. I also love my small business I run, painting murals. I love the variety and challenges of it. When I I’m not creating you can find me dressing my dog in sweaters, binging true crime shows, or taking improv classes!