My creative journey began at an early age. I’ve loved making art for as long as I can remember. It started in kindergarten and continued through a childhood where creativity was always encouraged. Growing up in my family’s custom bakery in Grand Rapids gave me a wonderful outlet for my imagination. Our kitchen table was often transformed into a swirling dervish of glue, paint, glitter and whatever else I could find to create!

That early love of creativity led me to Calvin College where I earned a degree in Art Education. It was there that I began to understand more clearly that creativity is not simply something we do. It can be a way we encourage, inspire and connect with others. I believe our Creator gives each of us unique gifts and calls us to use them to inspire the people around us.

For more than 25 years I’ve had the privilege of teaching art to elementary and secondary students in Brighton, Michigan. I also earned a Master’s Degree in Painting from Eastern Michigan University. Along the way I’ve had the opportunity to sell original artwork, receive illustration commissions, create prints, earn awards for my paintings and share my love of art through live painting presentations at events for religious and nonprofit organizations of all sizes.

Today I’m excited to bring all of those experiences together in a more personal and hands-on way. My husband Chris and our two boys Trevor and Connor have continually encouraged and inspired my creativity. Together we recently transformed the lower level of my husband’s dental office into a beautiful, fully functioning art and pottery studio.

At the studio I teach private and semi-private pottery and painting lessons. I also host both large and small creative events. After more than 25 years in the classroom it has been a blast to take what I’ve learned as an art teacher and create experiences where people of all skill levels can relax, experiment, learn something new and simply enjoy making art.

Whether I’m teaching someone how to center clay on a pottery wheel, helping a student discover the joy of painting or creating live artwork in front of an audience my goal remains the same: to make creativity feel accessible, meaningful and fun.

My hope is that through art you’ll discover not only something you enjoy creating but also a little more clearly the unique ways our Creator has gifted and called you to inspire others.