Artist Bio
My mother once told me about a memory of hers. She had walked in on me drawing a bowl of fruit that was on one of our tables. I was about 5 years old. That may seem young to many for a still-life drawing, but it made perfect sense to me. There was never any question that I was an artist. We are born not nearly who we are meant to become, and I am included in that. However, even in my earliest memories, I knew. I am an artist and that was empowering because it was unwavering and apart of who I am at my core- and that is from my first breath until my last. No one, nothing, can take that from me, not even in death as my Art can live on. Even through the roughest of times I have always considered myself fortunate for this inherent gift; as much for the certainty and the security in knowing as for the ability itself.
I am a born and raised New York based artist whose influences include many artists, styles and genres. Some of my earliest memories are of me drawing, of having the desire to pick up the nearest pencil and draw what ever happened to be in front of me at that particular moment. With my pencil in hand, anything felt possible. Decades later it still feels that way. I am the daughter of successful contractor and one of my earliest memories is sitting beside my father as he sat on the phone and drew. Sometimes he would draw architectural structures for work sometimes it was a simple doodle, regardless something about it felt natural and peaceful. I haven’t ever really put down the pencil since. It was in those precious moments that I realized the power and freedom that drawing provided. But truly, drawing was only the beginning. I have been surrounded by all aspects of art and performance my whole life. I received my first camera at the age of 6, My photography quickly became another way of showing people the alternate realities, vast worlds and beauty that played out in my mind and imagination. My favorite part of creating as a young kid and teenager was the arts ability to take me somewhere else, somewhere outside myself and my surroundings. Often times these places were magical for me. I began wanting to create those places for others through viewing my art. If could get such joy and comfort out of creating maybe others could experience it for themselves through what I created.
I studied and graduated from The Art Institute of Boston at Lesley University Cambridge, one of the region's premiere institutions. Seeking employment after college, I was fortunate enough to land an internship at one of the worlds most elite high-end fashion agencies with locations in NYC, London and Paris. The internship was meant to last a year, they hired me full-time within 3 months. This is where I was introduced to fashion as an art. This changed both my perception and my work. Though the agency, I was fortunate enough to work with the industries most elite photographers, designers and magazines. I worked Fashion week in NYC and had first-hand previews into the worlds leading artists, fashion designers and design influencers. During this time I perfected my digital imaging skills and explored my photography abilities, which enabled me to work among iconic artists and technicians. Undoubtedly, my passion and experience in the arts and fashion industries helped shape me as an artist and person.
Over several years my drawings, paintings, and photography were featured in various publications and my art had been shown in cities around the world. After about 12 years in the fine and digital arts fields, I returned to school for my graduates degree and became a Licensed and Nationally Board Certified Art Psychotherapist. Even in my undergrad at AIB, I had a deep interest in human behavior and took courses in Psychology, Philosophy, Sociology and Affirming Diversity.
I have a Master of Arts in Art Therapy from New York University. My educational training and clinical experience have now focused on integrating psychotherapy, visual arts practice and engaging the creative power of art for clinical assessment and treatment. My studies promote scholarly research abilities and evidence-based interventions. I have been both a Presenter and an Events and Studio Chair Assistant for Art Therapy conferences across the United States.
Currently I am affiliated with a NY based Psychiatric Hospital where I regularly provide both individual and group Art Therapy and Psychotherapy on an inpatient unit serving children and adolescents. In addition, I have experience providing Art and Psychotherapy to adults with HIV/AIDS, substance abuse, as well as adults living in residential and jail settings.
With all of this life experience, all of this living behind me, there are still questions I have unanswered. But one question was never really a question at all but rather my truth, I am an artist and that is who I am.
My hope is that if you’ve found my site and my art, you’re able to leave with something new.