mixed media

I create mixed-media floral paintings using watercolor, colored pencil, sewing, paint markers, and touches of fused glass. My work grew out of a major shift in my life—after 25 years as a fused glass artist, I had to step away from that medium in 2022 due to health reasons. What followed was a period of figuring out what I could still do, and more importantly, what I was willing to try.

What I found was a renewed sense of curiosity. Through self-teaching, experimentation, and a lot of trial and error, I discovered a love for combining materials in unexpected ways. My process is rooted in problem solving. Each piece becomes a question I don’t fully know the answer to when I begin. I’ve learned not to fear mistakes, but to rely on them. They are how I learn, adjust, and move forward.

I’ve also learned to be comfortable being uncomfortable. I try not to let fear stop me from pushing into new territory. Sometimes you just must jump and trust there’s a net somewhere. If you stay afraid and never take a chance, you don’t get to find out what you’re capable of.

Watercolor, especially, has changed how I approach both art and life. It’s taught me to let go of control and accept unpredictability—what happens, happens. There’s a kind of freedom in that, and a quiet sense of trust in the process.

Creating this work and choosing to participate in this show is part of that same mindset. I wanted to see if I had what it takes, and to discover what challenges I’m ready to face next.

My work reflects where I am now: still learning, still experimenting, and still willing to take the risk of not knowing.