I am currently working on a project that combines my two passions: art and music. Previously, these two worlds of mine have remained somewhat separate, so being able to use these two art forms simultaneously will be a new way to completely engulf myself in the project. My plan is to fill a gallery space with distinctly human stories. Stories that celebrate the complexities of life, its victories, its tragedies, and the people who heroically walk through them. As patrons enter, they will have the opportunity to download a QR code that links music files that coordinate with each of the visual displays of art. Each song will be crafted to tell the stories, some with lyrics, some only instrumental, while guests view paintings or sculptures that give sight to these heart-felt stories. I believe this kind of interaction with stories of humanity is particularly timely as our society recovers from pandemic separation and loss, and an increased level of isolation as we lean more and more into social media as a primary means of connection. This experience will have the power to draw hearts out of their detachment. It will remind us all that we come from the same dirt and can connect with the most basic of human emotions. We can all relate to the feelings of loss, to the power of triumph, to the desire to be loved. We are a communal species that has the amazing ability to craft beauty out of nothing via art and music. I believe an experience that taps into this side of our humanity could be incredibly meaningful and healing for the people of today.

I am a songwriter, activist, teacher, artist, and mother of four. My songs fuse elements of classic Americana, folk, bluegrass and jazz, with a haunting vocal style and unique intricate melodies. My artwork does the same, fusing realism and modern expressionism to haunt viewers and transport them into the pieces and the subjects that possess them.

I began musical training at seven years old and continued writing songs throughout my life while pursuing other artistic outlets. In 2019 I returned to my true calling and released a debut solo EP KNOTS, about the challenges and rhythms of relationships. Now with my debut full-length If I Were Honest, I am melding the many facets of my creative and personal life into a cohesive, elegant whole. Recorded in Nashville and produced by Mary Bragg, If I Were Honest is a nuanced and atmospheric Americana album celebrating the enormous complexity of being human.

My love of art is expanding outside of the classroom where I teach Middle School art and theatre, into the world of fabrics and textiles. I have created two collections of unique and eclectic hand-drawn designs this summer now available on Spoonflower.com. Members of my Patreon page can follow my music and receive small original artwork in the mail. My desire is to spread beauty and healing through all these efforts and avenues. The overwhelming spirit of my work is connectivity and honesty in a disjointed and broken world.

Resilience requires adjusting to the changing circumstances and dynamics of the world around you. As a creative, I am always assessing what is working, what is not, and finding a new path to continue. When opportunities aren’t just showing up at my doorstep, as a creative, I have to invent opportunity. When the pandemic shut the world down, there were not open venues and stages. Even now, while doors are open, often audiences are hard to come by. During the pandemic I had to adjust and spent 2020 writing songs and recording them at home, sending and receiving layers of music from other musicians to combine them into finished produced songs. Like most musicians, I adapted to an online format, but had to find ways to stick out in a saturated livestream landscape. When appreciation of your product is subjective and difficult to measure, lifelines like resilience, adaptation, and creation are essential for survival. I am thankful for a supportive community of artists, songwriters, and musicians that are an immense storehouse of encouragement during times of doubt.