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I grew up in small neighborhood on the north side of Chicago. Being the youngest of three kids, and the only girl, I was very independent. I had a strong creative influence from my mom, and I was exposed to a lot of creative outlets. Whether it be arts and crafts, studio arts, music, or dance, I found myself fascinated by anything that allowed you to express yourself. I was also very curious. If someone else could master a skill, I wanted to try and learn it too. From lanyard & friendship bracelets to drawing & painting, sewing & knitting to hair coloring & make-up design, I was always teaching myself something new.
Although I had been creating art my whole life, it wasn't until my sophomore year of high school that I took a formal art class. My creative side had always found a way to come out naturally, but coupled with this new trained knowledge, it increased my confidence and took me to a whole new level. Pursuing a career in the the creative world would not only embrace these emerging talents and passions, but offer me a life of doing what I loved. I found myself enrolled in a competitive art school. My craftsmanship, attention to detail and love of balance proved a great match for graphic design, but with no prior knowledge of photoshop or illustrator, it would be an intense four years. In 2007, I graduated from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign with a bachelor in Fine and Applied Arts. My focus was graphic design, but I made time to study other subjects I was passionate about including photography, advertising, and my absolute favorite, psychology. |
After going on to work for a few years in Chicago, I itched for a change. A big change. Months of research and a couple of visits later, I knew Austin was the answer. This smaller city had a charm and an energy I had never encountered before. I packed up a small truck and made my way down to Texas. I didn't have a job, and I knew no more than 2 people, but I was determined to make this little dream of mine work. And I did.
By constantly pushing myself outside of my comfort zone, I was exposed to a whole new level of living. One day I would be hiking through a forest, the next, at a secret concert in a sewer under the city. Everywhere I went was colorful and new, and the positivity I found through my new connections and nature only fueled me and my passion to create. I embraced the unknown, and I learned more about myself than I could have ever imagined. Five years later, I still call Austin home. Most of my spare time is spent exploring or at the dog park with my puppies Butter and Toast, but I also love hiking the outdoors, traveling to new cities, watching the sun rise, curling up to a good book, organizing absolutely everything, painting things that inspire me, camping under the stars, restoring old furniture, or going on random adventures in this ever-changing city. I am also quite fond of espresso, amazing questions, craft beer, sarcasm, culinary experiments, meditation, make-up design, philosophical conversations, wine, photography, and the color white. |