Art Chowder January | February 2017, Issue 7 | Page 12

What is the name and location of the favorite place
you’ve exhibited your work? Why?
Exhibiting my work at Museum of Arts and Culture for the
“Territory: Generational Triptychs” show was extremely
exciting for me. The exhibition was rich with creative energy and it was fascinating to see the work that resulted
from an emerging artist being paired with an established
artist. I was thrilled to be able to collaborate with a local
artist that I strongly admire, Mel McCuddin. I think that
was the largest contributing factor to my enthusiasm towards the show..
What is your favorite childhood memory?
Oh, there are so many! To name a few: Taking trips to the
ocean, salmon fishing or going to the hot springs with my
family. Going on a Caribbean cruise with my mom and
grandma and cousin. Riding four wheelers, picking pumpkins and catching frogs at our farm. Walking to the river
to collect crawdads. Following my brothers around, being a tomboy. Playing Barbies and pretending with my
sister. Having celebrations with my decorating-crazed,
highly creative extended family—especially birthdays,
Halloween, Christmas and Easter. Riding bikes with my
siblings and grandpa through the cemetery, as he would
hide behind the grave houses and make howling sounds.
Winning a green Sprite bike from a grocery store coloring
contest when I was 6 years old. Having sleepovers at my
grandma’s house where I’d get to listen to her imaginative
story telling and then wake up to bacon, eggs and ladyfingers (buttered toast cut into long, delicate strips), and
watch the Price is Right. I could go on and on. So many
memories are centered on having an amazing family, and
a grandma who excels at the art of turning everyday life
into magic.
Is there anything you wish you’d done differently
in your own career as an artist?
Do you have any advice for emerging artists?
My career as an artist is still budding, so I don’t have much
to regret. I’m not an expert, however, I do know that the
best way for growth to occur is by working through challenges and persevering. Not all parts of the things we
love are equally loveable, but at some point we learn to
appreciate them for what they are and they become part
of the beauty. My advice would include making as much
art as possible! I would also advise any beginning artist to
get feedback on their work, to view as much art as possible, take risks, experiment, ask questions, set goals, make
time for intentional practice, and to be truthful to yourself
in the process. I regularly have to ask myself the why behind what I’m doing, and then I’m more clearly able to feel
grounded and passionate in my pursuits.
What is your biggest fear when exhibiting your work?

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I don’t think I experience much fear when I exhibit work,
but I do hope that the work will be well received and impact
people in meaningful ways, ideally to the point of selling.
Do you have a “bucket list” so to speak as an artist?
What would you consider to be a dream project?
I’d like to have time to fully and regularly immerse myself
in art making. To spend a good portion of each day experimenting and playing and engaging with color and movement and the possibilities that emerge from the paint…the
idea gives me goose bumps to think about.
I’ve always imagined having a large loft studio where I have
canvas laid on the ground and I walk from painting to painting pouring and experimenting on them all simultaneously.
Then I would step to the second floor of the loft and view
them from the balcony. Ah, what a delightful vision.
I’d also love to be able to host an open studio, so that people who desire it could come to play with materials and art
making, just to feel the joy it can bring. I think art plays a
huge role as a therapeutic and healing method, and I immensely enjoy facilitating those types of experiences.
What is your favorite piece of your own artwork to date?
My paintings tend to reference a specific part of my life,
even if that wasn’t the intention. Some fill me with joy, others with sorrow…and for that I enjoy them all. For instance,
A Caged Feeling was the first painting I made when I moved
to Portland, and it opened the door to painting in that style.
Bliss and Detachment was painted as I was learning some
hard truths about a relationship. Sprouting was painted
when I first met my husband. Awaiting Arrival was painted
in my 42-week pregnancy with my son.
I’ve also had inspiring experiences creating work for a specific person or function. Genesis, Emerging and Journey are
examples of pieces that unfolded in fascinating ways for
specific individuals. Vibration of Depth was created around
the concept of death for an exhibition. Rising and Calming
Current are two of four large murals that were painted for
the Portland salon, Magnum Opus, and were some of my
most inspiring painting experiences to date.
Simply put, I don’t know that I can choose a favorite.
What do you enjoy doing besides art?
Squeezing and snuggling my delicious 6 month old baby
girl, talking and laughing with (or at) my energetic 3 year
old boy, spending quality time with my family and friends,
exploring new places, being outside, eating delectable
food in beautiful settings, dinner parties, stargazing, hiking
in lush forested coastal areas, building sand sculptures, listening to non-fiction audio books, going to yard sales, organizing, being massaged, dreaming up ideas, watching all
types of performing arts, learning about healing modalities,
watching ocean creatures underwater (especially jellyfish).