About Me

Living with mental and physical illness offers me a unique perspective on the human condition. That is why art and advocacy go hand in hand for me. I believe in the strength of expressing emotion as a way to connect with others, so that no one feels their path is to be walked alone. People often view mental and physical illness from a misconstrued or prejudiced perspective. I am invested in using my art and advocacy to change this inclination, debunk misinformation, and challenge stereotypes. Much of my work focuses on my lived experience with a plethora of illnesses (both physical and mental) expressed through fabric work, photography, sculpture, and other creative outlets. Recently I have begun exploring the roots of my illness and making sense of what has kept me fighting to stay alive, which has led to my embroidery work. I use the stitching motion to symbolically transfer the pain of my body into my materials. Relatedly, stitching together my experiences gives me room to feel grief and sadness over what I have survived, but it also brings a sense of hope and healing to my journey. This has helped me to realize people with disabilities can live beautiful and fulfilling lives too, a lesson I hope to pass on to others. I have come to understand that I have always been sick and will always be sick. The pain and hardship I endured in my early teen years, defined who I was, and who I could be. Yet, at the end of the day my life is still beautiful - not in spite of all the hardships I have endured, but because of them. Because of my pain and suffering, I have been able to find purpose in my art and advocacy. As is true for many of those I hope to help, a support system has been vital for my growth and development from an early age to today. Especially at a time when people are most desperately struggling with life’s challenges, creating art can change the way one views themselves and their worth. It did so for me. It also changes how others view people with disabilities. This is why, after earning my BFA at Rocky Mountain College of Art and Design, I plan to pursue my Child Life Certification. As a Child Life Specialist, it will be my job to help make a hospital experience the least traumatic as possible for children and families. I will provide distraction and engagement with toys, crafts, and play, as well as explain procedures, and play a vital role in a child's care team and support system. Having spent much of my teen years in a hospital setting, I know how scary and isolating it can be. It is my hope to use my skills as an artist and advocate to help children and families feel safe, seen, and heard.