Describe your job in 100 words or less.

I do everything. I have dreams of having a team to help with this, but for now, I have a hand in everything we do. Retouching, project planning, client communications, photography, scheduling, creative direction, accounting and invoicing, social media planning, web management, digital technology, customer service, and more! My favorite part of the work is collaborating with my creative partner, Brooke, making key art, posters, book covers, and more, as well as doing an on-location shoot with dancers with the assistance of my life partner, John.

What’s your favorite part of working remotely?

I get so much done when I can blast music and sit alone in my creative bubble. I also love the freedom to spend quality time with John before he goes off to his other job.

What does your ideal workday look like?

I start with a great cup of coffee, which I enjoy alongside John while we do the Wordle or other low-key activities to start the day. Then, I organize my emails, to-do lists, and Trello tasks and time-block my day to get started. Once I’m organized, I take a short break to work out, stretch, or practice a tap dance for an upcoming performance. Then I sit down and get to work! My favorite days are when I have NO meetings and can spend hours doing marketing planning. Then, I switch to my creative brain and make some incredible composites without interruption. Ideally, I would end my day at a reasonable time, but since I LOVE THE WORK I DO, I will likely keep at it until 8 pm. Then I step away from the computer to focus on self-care: take a bath, give myself a rainbow manicure, spend some time with friends, take a dance class, paint, and try my hand at knitting. I’m working on more of my day dedicated to this, but it’s hard to walk away when I’m in the middle of making cool sh**!

What work do you enjoy doing the most?

I love doing photo composites and key art. There’s something magical about taking something and turning it into something completely different that sparkles. I have a good eye for detail and properly represent/highlight/color, so I play those concepts within a photo composite.

What occupations besides art have you held?

I’m also a dance teacher and director. I don’t know how to have just one job. My whole life, I’ve juggled multiple jobs, usually one in photography and one teaching dance or art classes.

What drives your art-making?

I’m primarily driven by a loose concept and the challenge of visually bringing that to life. For example, when given a word or concept representing a dance show, I create dynamic visuals using the dancers’ bodies in an imagined scene to bring it to life. I thrive when given a lot of creative freedom with some direction.

Which tools are essential to your work as an artist?

Wacom tablet, nothing fancy. I use the medium Intuos Pro tablet, but the key is ordering the felt tips for the pen. The way I respond to it feels like drawing with a marker. I’m also a Mac user, and that’s non-negotiable. I refuse to work on a PC, not that they don’t have their purpose, but I have so many workflows that I’ve set up on a Mac and rely on them to keep me on track. Also, a good cup of coffee or sparkling water always makes me willing to focus on a task.

What is your favorite piece of art?

Anything by Virginia Kraljevic is soothing to look at. Her illustrative style has an amazing amount of play in addition to repetitive patterning. I used to teach lessons based on her work when I was an art teacher.

Cite an instance from your own life that served as inspiration.

I was fortunate to assist Parish Kohanim while he taught at the California Photo Festival. He did a session where he taught attendees how to shoot dancers, and it was inspiring to watch him work. It inspired me to start doing photography work with artists.

What particular event in your life has been fundamental in shaping you?

I was diagnosed with oral cancer just before the pandemic. It gave me a real push to create my path and focus on the work I want to do. I’m now in remission!

Which of your earliest memories is the fondest?

I remember working in the garage with my dad as a kid, mainly when we’d do woodworking, and I’d learn how to use a drill press or chop. My favorite project we did was making a small catapult out of all wood, including wheels and a rope/pin with a quick-release lever. I wish I had photos of this one.

What song motivates you?

“Pretty Ugly” by Tierra Whack! It’s a great groove that makes you want to bounce along to it, but it also reminds me that I’m aan n zingg even when frustrated or depressed.