Ever since I was around 8 years old I secretly wanted to be an artist but I never took an art class because I felt intimidated. I regret that I ever felt that way.

I’m mostly self-taught and go through periods (I’m talking years) of “I’m too busy” and times when I feel very productive. I appreciate wintertime because it forces me to slow my pace down and allows me more time to be creative.

When I’m painting I have to regularly remind myself to have fun and not take myself so seriously. We’re all artists in our own ways, and we can tap into that part of ourselves if we really desire it.

Art studio with painting supplies near a window overlooking a snowy garden or backyard scene.
Sketches of four birds, including a colorful blue and orange bird, a detailed small bird perched on a branch, and two other bird illustrations, one partially drawn, in a spiral-bound sketchbook.

Golden-crowned kinglet, western bluebird, brown creeper, violet-green swallow