I grew up loving to read, write and create. I can remember sitting on my grandma’s couch for hours (before I started kindergarten), learning how to embroider the little violet embroidery kits that came in her coffee tin. Around the same time, she also taught me how to crochet and I’d make lopsided potholders and crochet chains long enough to stretch all through the house.
I began selling some of my creations in local stores by the time I was 10–with the goal of buying a 10-speed bike with my earnings. My product line grew, as did my goals–financing the things deemed important to my childhood dreaming. Back then I’d sell pom pom animals for a dollar each (and most stores took 10% commission). Those little yarn animals took me about one hour to make. But I didn’t mind. They financed basketball camp as a junior higher and put gas in my car when I was in high school.
Fast forward to adulthood. It’s basically the same as when I was a kid except my art supplies have changed. Nowadays I create mostly in watercolor, acrylic/mixed media, and digital art. I also teach art classes to help adults overcome their fears and take a stab at painting.
Another thing that I’ve carried with me from my childhood: growing and preserving food and raising chickens. I grew up helping in the kitchen and out in the garden spaces. It wasn’t until I left home for college that I realized not everyone gained these valuable life skills.
To that end, I started a blog years ago to help change that. I love helping others get started even in small ways to grow and raise their own food. You can find out more about that over at City Girl Farming.
When I’m not creating art, you can find me out with my chickens, working in the garden, cooking, or hanging out outside.
