I grew up in a small coastal town in California. From an early age, I was exposed to the wonders of the natural world. Most of my childhood was spent outdoors—at the beach, the park, or in the orchards and open fields around my house. I have a profound love for nature and it often manifests itself in my work in the form of tiny flowers/plants, animals and/or landscapes.In my undergraduate studies, I pursued a career in graphic design. But my love of analog processes could not be satisfied in a digital field. And although I excelled as a graphic designer, it wasn’t until I attended the Savannah College of Art and Design, that I found my true calling. On a whim, I took a course in the Fiber Arts Department and fell in love. I learned weaving, dyeing, embroidery, repeat pattern and surface design—techniques I regularly incorporate into my collages.I am also an ardent fan of literature, both fiction and nonfiction. My love of reading began at an early age and is a favorite past time to this day. In fact, when I am not working in my studio, I’m usually nose-deep in a novel (or two). Storytelling has had a huge impact on my work. My collages feature elements of the fantastical and are often influenced by folktales, science fiction and fantasy, and most recently, by nonfiction radio stories from shows such as This American Life and Radiolab. ARTIST STATEMENTI am a storyteller. My collages are one part magic, one part dreamscape, one part folk art, and one part nature. This visual narrative is told through tiny ink drawings, meticulous paper cuts, watercolor washes, miniature weavings, and embroidery. Each collage is a place where the conscious and subconscious minds intersect—a place of luscious and whimsical environments where flora and fauna interact with repeat-pattern design to tell a story of femininity, folklore, and fantasy.