When did you know you were an artist?
I knew as a young child that I was an artist. Maybe I was 5 or 6 years old. I would draw and create all the time and take supplies with me everywhere. I would make art and give it to friends and family, and I would tell everyone that I wanted to be an artist when I grew up. I can’t remember a time when I wanted to be anything else.
When and why did you decide to pursue art as a career?
I had given up pursuing art as an adult when I didn’t get into art school because of bad grades and had to enter the workforce. I continued to only create here and there and was really uninspired and exhausted from working in retail.
When I had my first son in 2020, I began to play with art supplies again. Soon after, I decided to look for a second job to make some extra money, or to find a job to leave my retail manager role, and started working at Painting with a Twist in Allentown. There, I met so many other artists, and with painting more often, started thinking I could pursue art full time if given the opportunity.
I had my second child in 2022, and my husband and I decided he would go back to work full time and I would stay home. This gave me the time and ability to start being more creative and start my art career. I have been so happy to be able to show my boys what it takes and how important it is to pursue your dreams.
What’s been your hardest challenge?
I think the hardest challenge is just finding time and energy between taking care of your family, kids and home, to be able to create and do the other things related to your art career.
What successes or achievements are you most proud of?
These past couple of years have just been filled with success and personal achievements. I have participated in multiple vending opportunities–from art fairs to craft shows and everything in between. I have even been accepted to juried art fairs and shows in the Lehigh Valley and beyond.
I have participated in four solo shows this year, including at the Emmaus Public Library, and so many other shows through the Lehigh Art Alliance, Nazareth Center for the Arts, and Sophia Stef Gallery in Lambertville, NJ. I even started the year with a group show some friends and I put together called Pathways of Color.
I think I am most proud to have a piece of art displayed at the Allentown Art Museum this year through the Lehigh Art Alliance Juried Show.
What’s your advice for anyone who wants to explore art or creativity, but can’t seem to find the time?
Just do something, anything, even if it’s ugly or bad. Just spending even five minutes can get creativity going. Try to do it every day, and I promise you will start to find more time or make more time for your art and you will get better the more you do it.
What’s your advice when an artist is intimidated by a blank canvas?
Oh, do an underpainting or just get something, anything, on the canvas to get rid of that scary pristine blank canvas. You can always get a new canvas or paint over it, just go for it.
Feel free to add anything else you’d like to share with readers about yourself or your art.
I am a lifelong Emmaus resident, and as a child, I would ride my bike to the Emmaus Public Library. I loved books. I am so excited to be able to show my art in my community–and where I now take my children to our public library.
ART@EPL is the library’s exciting partnership with the Lehigh Art Alliance and the Lehigh Valley Arts Council. The series is funded through a grant from PA Partners in the Arts, making it possible for area residents to enjoy free art lectures and workshops from local artists working in pastels, charcoal, sculpture, and watercolor among others.
Visit the ART@EPL page to see all the artists who have led workshops and exhibited work at the library as part of ART@EPL.
