Green Girl Canvas

I think we are all somehow affected by our surroundings as creators whether we consciously realize it or not. New Jersey tends to get a bad reputation amongst those not from here, but what most people don't realize (other than the fact that just about NO ONE is actually like the folks you see on MTV's Jersey Shore!) is how much this amazing little state actually has to offer! In my artwork, I am always inspired by nature and enjoy spending as much time outside as possible...whether it be relaxing time in nature or fast paced action of the city. The time spent in my natural surroundings always inspires me to create and so I am thankful to live in a place where I can go with ease one day to a beautiful beach, the next to the mountains. We have easy access to New York City, or you can easily escape to a variety of beautiful pastures, lakes, farms or breathtaking wooded hikes and kick back, all right here in good old underrated New Jersey. If that variety of landscapes isn't inspirational, I don't know what is!

After graduating (and spending an incredibly fun summer living by the beach and working with my best friend as a server at a coffee shop), I started applying to any and every design firm I could think of, without much luck... Until one day my Mom actually found an ad in the local paper seeking a full time Graphic Designer, and that turned out to be the one that stuck...I haven't looked back since!

I am ALWAYS trying new looks/styles, so it is hard to pinpoint any one in particular that I am looking to try. I find that I will do something in 1 style, then immediately think how cool it would be to try something completely opposite. Like one piece might be all black ink with ornate detailed swirls and ornament, and the next is a soft simple watercolor painting. If anything, I often worry that I need to focus my style more in one direction... but what fun is that when there are so many possibilities?

I am ALWAYS trying new looks/styles, so it is hard to pinpoint any one in particular that I am looking to try. I find that I will do something in 1 style, then immediately think how cool it would be to try something completely opposite. Like one piece might be all black ink with ornate detailed swirls and ornament, and the next is a soft simple watercolor painting. If anything, I often worry that I need to focus my style more in one direction... but what fun is that when there are so many possibilities?

Everywhere! As I mentioned earlier, nature and pretty much everything going on around me is potential for inspiration. It always amazes me too how it can often be during the most random and usually mundane activities like sitting in traffic or washing the dishes, that those magical moments of inspiration can sneak up on you!

Everything in life is ultimately up to you and the choices you make... if you want it, do it! You get out what you put in, so start creating if that is what you want to do. The more you make, the better your work will become. One of my favorite illustrations that I have ever created is of the quote "She Believed She Could. So She Did." That sums it up right there!

I worked all throughout high school and college at various jobs from waitress to camp counselor to party store employee to graphic design intern.

I always considered myself an artist, but I guess my official career didn't begin until I accepted my first job after college as mentioned above.