The arts have shaped my life for as long as I can remember. As a baby, I sang instead of napped; as a toddler, I was always coloring (and then eating the crayons). Today it’s the video games and cartoons that I love that give me inspiration.

I grew up immersed in creativity: taking every art or music class I could fit into my schedule. In college, I studied music performance at the University of Wisconsin Stevens Point. I loved the discipline and challenge, but over time the intensity led to burnout and health challenges. My solution was to take an art class and study abroad. That shifted my whole perspective, and when I returned, I changed my major to art with minors in music and art history.

I began as a painter, but absolutely fell in love with ceramics after taking my first class junior year. Working with clay was so grounding and refreshing. There was always something new to learn or try that kept me coming back. After graduation, I spent time finding my personal brand and recharging my creative energy until 2025 when I decided I just needed to give this a shot already!

I took the leap to begin my career as a full time artist! I started participating at art markets every weekend as well as taking a part time teaching position at Dongzhu Pottery Studio.

Choosing the path of a self-employed artist has been both terrifying and deeply fulfilling. My whole life I’ve felt that I don’t fit in with the societal “norms”, and embracing this creative career has also meant embracing my neurodivergence and learning to work with, rather than against, how my mind functions. It has truly felt soul healing to give life to this whimsical dream of being a fulltime artist.