Growing up in Clifton, VA with my home surrounded by woods and a stream running through the backyard, I experienced nature from a young age and this sparked my deep interest in animals. I was raised to appreciate the beauty of all living things. My work is driven by my fascination of the natural world and influenced by the symbolism that animals serve in different cultures. I like to portray animals with personality and depict human emotions through the lens of non-human subjects. I graduated from the University of Mary Washington with a degree in studio art, where I had the opportunity to experiment and work in several different mediums, such as printmaking, painting, and ceramics. I find each media has its own benefits and limitations and I love the challenges that come with each new piece.