bio

Formal Art Education

Monroe County Community College

All of the art history classes

Drawing 1 and 2

Watercolor

Every ceramic class

Several semester of studio ceramics

Ceramic room aid

Informal Art Education

20 years to life studying art at museums, galleries, street fairs. Trying new techniques, watching youtube videos, taking online workshops. Learning from other artist friends, and never being a afraid of trying something new and failing. Continuing to be inspired by my life, surroundings, and other artists, and continuing to work at growth in my own work.

2001 - 2009

I bought my first wheel and continued using the MCCC as studio space, I then transitioned into my own home studio.

I sold my work at several boutique stores, and a handful of art galleries in Michigan and Ohio.

I traveled to several street fairs every year around the region, winning a few awards for being the best in show. And sold many commission pieces from people who saw me at street fairs and online.

2009-2014

I pulled my work from most venues during this time period. I had two little girls and my husband and I bought a few historic buildings in our downtown which we brought back to life. I learned through personal experience how much artist energy goes into a building, especially when you are taking something old and bringing it into the modern life without loosing the old charm and ascetics. We have remodeled 6 buildings.

2014-2020

In 2014 I opened the Art Insight Emporium, originally it started as a fun monthly market which grew into a larger educational center and gallery. We provide a place making opportunity for local artists to have the ability to sell their work and work as artists within our community through gallery shows, classes, lectures, and events.

2020-2025

I had to take a hiatus. Covid was a large part of that decision, the changes it made to our lives, and the needs of my family grew. So I closed the gallery, and took some time off from my studio. I did however remodel/update 4 of our apartments and 3 of our commercial spaces during this time. And I found an old love of gardening/landscaping that could satisfy my artistic energy and keep me close to home.

2026-present

I am back in the Studio! It was a long hiatus, so I redecorated my studio, made sure all of my equipment worked and got elbows deep back in the clay! My plan is to make myself a huge personal collection of pottery that I can keep just for myself. I have sold so many pieces but for a while I am going to focus on making myself and my kids a stock pile of personal pottery. But I am also planning on teaching classes again. I have been creating new and old class plans that I can offer to others. Currently they are all hand built classes, because I only have two wheels but maybe someday I will have the opportunity to teach wheel classes too!

Contributions to the art world

I have been a volunteer in one way or another since I was young, I came from a socially minded family who volunteered for many organizations in our community, I was also a Campfire Kid who volunteered often and grew into an adult who volunteers.

I was a member of the Monroe Art League for many years.

I also was on the Monroe City/County Fine Arts Council. I co chaired or chaired the Monroe City Council Juried Art Show for almost a decade. This show has always been a passion of mine, it was the first art show I entered as a young college student. It is a local show for only Monroe County and shows work from high school aged students through masters in art. They are all able to hang their work together and share with the community their beautiful talents.

I sat on the Monroe Fine Art Fair Committee for almost a decade as well.

I have volunteered to show my work, or teach students how to paint in schools, homeless centers, churches, nursing homes, and the scouts. I believe art can help heal a person, bringing positive energy into the mind and body, I love sharing that with others.

Bio