She is originally from Darien, IL. She was self taught for most of her adolescence until she was “gently” nudged into taking her first art class in High School. From there she excelled to the highest levels and continued her studies at Eastern Illinois University, where she studied 2-D Studio Design.

She earned her BA in Fine Arts while accumulating minors in Art History and Psychology. She’s won several awards at the college level including 1st place, Best in Show, and Best Amature Artist. After college she completed her internship with Hostel International Chicago as their Art Curator and Coordinator. She then joined the Oak Park Art League where she was featured in various showcases, and acquired more awards including the People’s Choice award.

She currently resides in Peoria, IL, where she is a Special Education Teacher pursuing her M. ED in Social Emotional Learning, and has completed hundreds of commissions for clients all over the United States as a freelance artist.

For her own body of work she continues to expand and develop her subject matter which currently features misunderstood animals like the “bully” breeds, as well as, other animals that carry stereotypes and stigmas. She aims to show these animals in a different light that connects them to the viewer, and shows off their natural personalities. Her goal is for the viewer to stop, slow down, and to witness these moments of curiosity. Using her own sense of humor to add elements of wonder and surprise she plays on the toddler like qualities that these animals possess. This hopefully allows pauses for new perspectives to take root and suspends these subconscious prejudices, even if it's for a moment; change starts somewhere.

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