So many of us women are afraid to be ourselves. If you’re anything like me (hi 👋🏻), then I’m willing to bet that that somewhere along the way, you learned to believe that you need to be perfect. Meaning, you need to have it all together and keep everyone else happy, even (almost always) at the expense of yourself. You feel trapped. Lost. Like you might explode, even. I’ve been there. And I can tell you—life doesn’t have to be this way. I found freedom in painting. And while you may not be a painter, what I know is that painting has a lot to teach us—and I paint because it’s the thing that helps me overcome perfection and remember what it’s like to be myself. My paintings (moody, expressive, acrylic) are inspired by the calm and freedom I find hiking in the woods and up mountains. Painting reminds me of the metaphor of being able to wipe away any stray brushstroke. You can’t mess up. Or if you do, you can just start over. Nothing is permanent—but you have to at least try and make some marks if you want to create anything worthwhile. Otherwise, all you’re left with is just fear and a blank, empty canvas. Hiking reminds me that all worthy endeavors are the result of putting one foot in front of the other. It also reminds me to be like the trees and the flowers in the forest—standing tall, proud of your expression, not worrying about how you compare to those next to you. My art and creative process sit at this intersection. I explore and allow my brushes and colors to flow like I hope you move through life—boldly, calmly, freely. My paintings aren’t tight, careful, or worried. They’re not about mimicking or matching. They’re like you—born to stand out. I hope my art feels like the wind in your hair—and like light shining through tree leaves, I hope my paintings remind you to look up. I hope they show you how capable you are, and I hope they embolden you to always be true to yourself.