Artist’s Statement

I believe artists have a gift and responsibility to nurture our capacity for wellbeing.

About

I was born and raised in New Mexico where much of my time was spent in nature. This encouraged a sense of unconditional, inalienable belonging and support. Myth and fairytales were another formative influence and fed my imagination. Story helped me learn who I was and, in nature, I was free to be her.

I left New Mexico for the University of Redlands (CA) where I studied world religions and mythology, meditation, fine and performing arts, psychology, and literature. I graduated with honors from the University of Redlands’ Johnston Program in 2015. While in school, I co-taught a course on Jungian fairy tale interpretation with Dr. Fran Grace and completed a thesis exploring Greek Goddess archetypes in personal psychology. Outside of the classroom, I attended and volunteered for the Vallecitos Mountain Retreat Center and participated in The School of Lost Borders’ New Mexico Women’s Fast (later training in that organization’s month-long wilderness retreat facilitation program in 2018). College also afforded me the opportunity to travel to Ireland and the UK to study theater and early Christian sites.

After college, I studied at the Santa Fe School of Massage and earned my license. During my massage career, I sought continuing education with Cathy Black, M.A. as well as courses with Sandra Ingerman and Fredy Puma Quispe Singona (2017-2022). I also began designing and leading workshops, like Gaialoguing©, which focused on mutual wellbeing of self and Earth, imaginal work, myth, and feminism. My artistic endeavors included performing as lead singer for the band Jasper & Grace, performing classical solos at local venues, and working with artist Julie Claire. In 2019, I took a hiatus from massage to attended the Aegean Center for Fine Arts, studying renaissance art in Italy and learning painting and drawing techniques in Greece. In 2020, a second semester at the Aegean Center turned into a year of portfolio building due to pandemic lockdowns and travel restrictions. In addition to private commissions, I have sold my work in local markets, including the Placitas Studio Tour. I have been a featured artist in the Fuller Lodge Arts Center Gallery in Los Alamos, NM as well as Art Mozaik Fine Art Gallery on Canyon Rd. in Santa Fe, NM.

I am currently based in New Mexico, working as an artist, musician, and retreat facilitator.