Photo credit: www.jrockphotographs.com
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When my partner and I moved to Tuscaloosa, Alabama in 2021, I envisioned myself as a writer first. I'd finished a Master's Degree in Professional Writing in my home state of Maryland; I'd published a few creative nonfiction piece; I'd interned for an indie publishing company and a ghostwriting firm. But after failing to land any remote editing jobs (my then-dream) and realizing I really needed to leave the apartment and talk to people as part of my work, I changed course and got a retail job.
I've always been an artist. I have a portfolio of drawings from age 7 onward, I took all the art classes I could in high school, and in college, even did a minor in General Fine Arts (I thought I was going to be an art teacher, switched to a writing degree, etc). When I changed my career focus to writing, art became a hobby. I'd sketch my Dungeons and Dragons characters, occasionally do a pour painting, or doodle my friends' tabletop characters. But I wasn't serious with it. It took feeling seriously lost in my career and sense of self for me to really come back home to art. Working with clay for the first time since undergrad felt semi-spiritual. I made messes pouring acrylic paintings and started painting goofy little animals. I resigned myself to having paint on my arms, hands, nails, and glasses no matter what I do'; I am happiest when I'm making something, perhaps listening to a podcast or chatting with friends while I craft. I'm here to spread a little of my joy in the world, whether through silly clay creatures, paintings of raccoons, or sketches of someone's precious D&D character. If there's something I can make for you that would make you smile each time you see it, contact me here! |