I was always the kid in the restaurant who asked for the crayons and coloring menu…

I’m originally from Brookfield, WI and have always enjoyed drawing and coloring. In high school, I had a truly phenomenal art teacher, who encouraged me to try new techniques and really find what works for me. He even tried to convince me to go to art school, but I couldn’t be persuaded.

I attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, WI and majored in Biological Sciences and English Literature. My focus was solely on going to medical school. I picked up the Literature major to help balance my academic work load. I painted very little in college, but there were plenty of doodles to be found in my notebooks!

After graduating in May 2011, I pursued my dream and entered medical school in the fall in Grand Cayman. However, I soon realized that medicine was not my field of passion. I changed my path completely and went to graduate school at Northwestern University for a masters in literature and moved to Chicago, IL.

After graduation, I remained in Chicago for work as a freelance writer and editor. I also became heavily involved in the Chicago sailing community as an active sailor and race management volunteer. Sailing was another passion that took a hiatus due to school. Through my involvement in the sailing community, I also rediscovered my love for art and painting. What started as a donation of two sailing-themed paintings for a charity dinner, turned into a multitude of custom works.

After almost nine years in Chicago, I have relocated to the beautiful seaside city of Salerno, Italy (the Gateway to the Amalfi Coast) with my 8 year old pug, Victoria. I have my best friend to thank for this move! Alfredo and I met a few years ago at a sailing event in Chicago and instantly connected. During this time our friendship evolved into a loving relationship and on January 14, 2021 (after months of COVID delay), we were married at City Hall in Salerno. It is now, with his love and support, that I am pursuing art full-time as a career path.

Questions about my art…

How would you describe your style?

I would say that most of my works fall into the “imagined realism” genre. Many clients want a painting that looks so real it could be a photo, but the scenery depicted would be almost impossible to capture with just a camera. I also enjoy playing around with other painting styles. Abstract paintings have become a newfound source of joy for me because there is no right or wrong and I can let my emotions take the brush and create.

What inspires you?

Everything and everywhere. I’ll see a painting in a store and that inspires me on how to do something in a painting that I’m currently working on. Or if I see a breathtaking sunset, I may take a photo and then jot down notes on how to better capture the colors in paint compared to the photo. Of course, my clients also inspire me with their love or passion for the idea that they want brought to life in the form of a painting.

Is there anything you will not paint?

People. I am fascinated by the many, many talented portrait artists and their ability to capture someone in paint. The person looks as if they are living and breathing within the canvas. It’s one thing to paint someone from behind or far away because from that perspective he/she is just an arrangement of shapes. However, when it comes to the face and eyes, painting someone who not only looks like the person represented but also in a life-like manner has never been my forte.