Blending passions for art, nature, outdoor adventure, community, and connection...
From a very early age, art has not only been a grounding anchor during times of change, it has also provided a map and compass for navigating the path of the heart and spirit. I attribute so much of my creative success to my mentors who supported me with unshakable faith and encouragement beginning at age 12, all the way up through high school, and still to this day are some of the most incredibly wise, kind, generous, and supportive people I know.
Nature has been with me ever since I was in the womb; growing up on a farm surrounded by lush fields, forests, and furry and feathered friends, and playing hooky from church to go on nature walks with my father, where he'd excitedly name every species of tree and flower, filling me with wonder and enchantment. Being in nature gave me an unmistakable sense of connection to something so much greater than myself.
Adventure came much later in life... right around age 28, gifted to me through the Crossfit community that I belonged to at that time. This community opened me up not only to my physical capacity for strength, grit, and resilience, but it also exposed me to a community of people who were excited about doing the kinds of things I'd always dreamt of, but hadn't found the courage to try on my own- things like whitewater rafting, adventure races, mountain climbing, and scaling rock walls. It was through Crossfit that I discovered my love of mountains.
Along with exploring my inner realms on the canvas and out in nature, some of my most fulfilling creative moments have been from being involved in art and outdoor adventure initiatives that invite public participation, particularly with people who don't self-identify as artists, adventurers, or athletes.
Few things are as satisfying as when an adult approaches a canvas who hasn’t picked up a paintbrush since grade school, and I have the honor of witnessing how their energy shifts from initial hesitation/reluctance/fear, to slowly becoming so absorbed in their work that their eyes become wide and childlike, and they get this glow about them that's unmistakable.
The same thing happens when I see people get on the slackline for the first time, or take in that first vista from the top of a mountain that they worked so hard to train for. And then, of course, so much of the magic is simply in the people who are drawn to these experiences; the micro-communities that form through shared experiences simply by saying YES and showing up for their curiosity and embracing the unknown -are truly something special.
Additionally, my life path, and personal relationship with art, has been deeply inspired and transformed by the work and philosophy of Julia Cameron's acclaimed bestseller The Artist’s Way. I incorporate Julia's teachings into every fiber of my being - from my own creative process, to my teaching, coaching, and overall way of being in the world - and still, there is so much more to absorb, integrate, and share. I'm so privileged and grateful to be able to be on this journey; to be able to share what has helped me feel so much more engaged with life, and so much more in touch with my heart.