How has art affected you in relation to mental wellness?

I am mentally at my best when I’m able to create. Even if I don’t necessarily feel like picking up a paintbrush, I always feel better after I do. It’s kind of similar to exercising for me. I feel better when I use my muscles and move my body. In the same way, I feel better when I’m painting consistently -- it’s just a different set of muscles I’m working out.

What are your views on mental health and the arts as a therapeutic tool?

Art can be such a nice release if you let it be. I get onto a slippery slope of even feeling pressured when making art! That’s when I have to allow myself to let go and just make art to make art -- with no purpose, no intention, no end result in mind. This is when I have the most fun creating. It sounds so simple…like, “Yeah, how else would you make art?” but it’s so easy to put yourself into your own artistic box. I’ve really been trying to let go of that lately and it’s been a nice stress relief. After all, that’s why adult coloring books exist!

What is the driving force behind what you do?

There are two main reasons I make art. The first is, I graduated from college with an art degree and did nothing with it for years. I was completely and totally burnt out. While I was sitting around feeling uninspired I still felt guilty for not wanting to paint. I grew extremely tired of that feeling and finally decided I was wasting a gift and I didn’t want to do that anymore. Secondly, making art is a little bit like my love language. It’s how I show I care about someone. So much so that I had to pull back a little bit because I felt like people might start to think I was narcissistic, always gifting them my art! But, really it’s just the most natural way I know to say I love you and I care.

What is your artistic process when doing your artwork?

I never go in with a plan. I have started pieces this way before (very planned and calculated) and they always turn to mush. I work much better just letting my brain work as I go and not fully knowing what the finished piece will look like. Sometimes I go in with maybe a color palette or certain materials I want to use, but never a sketch or any sort of idea what the composition will look like or what shapes will form. I like to compare it to balancing an equation. As soon as I make the first brushstroke, I’ve created a problem that needs to be solved. The rest of the time working on that piece is spent figuring out how to solve the problem…it’s just a constant stream of balancing and then purposefully unbalancing, only to need to balance it again. The hardest part for me is knowing when to stop. Is this piece done or does it need something else? Will it be too busy if I add this or is the simplicity at a good place right now? When it becomes extremely difficult to figure out what a piece needs -- it’s usually because it needs nothing and that’s how I know it’s done.

What is the message you want the viewer to take away from your artwork?

I attribute the development of my style to my interest in biology and geology. I’m drawn to the little imperfections that define organic shapes and rely on that to invoke a sense of familiarity with my audience. People find comfort in being able to identify things. Although my work is completely abstract, my hope is that the viewer will search for recognition and familiarity in my pieces. I want them to see something they recognize in themselves or their environment, like the small sense of accomplishment you feel when you find a shape in the clouds. I’d like my audience to consider why these shapes feel familiar and start to think about all the tiny building blocks in our make up, as well as the environment we live in.

How has your practice changed over time?

I used to be really heavy into acrylics only and now I typically use some acrylics, but mostly watercolor and mixed media. Lately, I’ve really tried to expand on the materials I use and I’ve wanted to create more texture in my work. I love adding gold leaf or crayon. It’s been a lot of fun! I had put myself back in that artistic box I was referring to earlier, so forcing myself back out of that has been nice.

Do you believe that art heals and how?

I don’t know if I’d go as far as to say that art heals. I wouldn’t want to give anyone “thing” the credit for a person’s healing. It can be such a long, painful process and whoever is going through it deserves all the praise for that. However, I do think art can certainly help you cope. Right now, it’s helping me cope every day. In the midst of all the stress, it’s time that I have by myself and for myself when I get to create something beautiful and meaningful. With all that’s happening in the world right now, I cherish that.