Born and raised just north of New York City, I spent most of my childhood running around outdoors with my brother and sister. When I wasn't exploring, I was drawing. My dad is a very influential figure in my life, and some of my favorite memories consist of hiking, star gazing, and creating with him. I remember sitting at his large drawing board, around age four or five; wide-eyed and enchanted by the colorful paints, pencils, and tools. I would sit and watch for hours, amazed at every little move he made. Daily life with him was always about new knowledge and experimentation. We would be driving down a back country road and he would stop the car, looking up at the sunset, and say things like, "Sam, look at the lighting on those clouds. See how the colors mix and reflect? Try to imagine how you could recreate that as a painting."Decades later, I completed my bachelors degree with a double major in both the Fine Arts and Education. For me, implementing a passion for the creative process into other's lives allows the gifts of interaction, interpretation, connection, and most importantly, reflection. After five years of being in the classroom, I left my teaching career to begin painting full time. Working primarily with acrylics and mixed media, my work focuses on a figurative and expressive style. I enjoy using my creative voice to represent authenticity, femininity, and emotion.