BIOGRAPHY

Historically, I'd say Emilly Carr is my biggest artistic influence. I appreciate her uniquely modern approach to Canadian Lanscape and culture and also her interests/influences in Theosophy. 

In terms of modern day artistis, I'm a huge fan of Melissa McKinnon. Her textured paint strokes and colour palettes/heavy application are so pretty and expressive. 

Both have influenced my style profoundly and helped steer the direction of my art into what it is today. 

Mother nature is my biggest inspiration. I'm always awed by the beauty of the land and the sky as the seasons change; The forms and colours found in the natural world. Faces are also so interesting to me... their depth and uniqueness and the story they tell with each wrinkle. So often just going for a walk or a drive will start the ball rolling. 

Surprisingly, my four year old is also an inspiration to me in the studio. I love painting with her. She's so uninhibited by classical art conditioning, she really helps me push myself out of conventional boxes (boxes I didn't even realize I was in!). 

And yes, I usually work from a picture to start. Or multiple pictures. The scene/idea develops from there and often evolves in its own right.

Yes! Always! I like to think I inject the emotion and energy I'm feeling from the music into my art physically, stylistically and even conceptually. I listen to many different artists but a go-to favourite is always Florence and the Machine.