MY STORY
The World of Art
Painting and drawing have always been at the heart of my life. Though I’m self-taught, I’ve been painting consistently since I was ten, refining my process and perspective with help from mentors along the way. Now, I’m ready to share this foundation more fully.
Why do I paint? To me, the world feels like the setting of a dystopian novel—a place filled with uncertainty, insecurity, even vulgarity, and a creeping sense of despair. Rather than surrendering to these forces, I use my art to offer a counterpoint. I paint to create scenes and objects that ground us in the beauty of the present: images that evoke familiarity, calm, and a sense of decency—not as a means of escape, but as a way to reconnect us to the understated details that make life meaningful. I hope to inspire deep reflection, a sense of nostalgia, or a grounding sense of peace.
With this in mind, it’s no surprise that I’m drawn to painting everyday scenes. A building next door in the late afternoon. A cup with a small crack on its side. Landscapes I encountered during my travels through Europe. Trees in autumn. Morning light in late spring. People. Cars. Books.
As you’ll see in my shop and gallery, I haven’t settled on one genre or technique. I love the greens in landscapes and the simplicity of urban sketching. Gentle watercolors and impasto oils. I’m not interested in perfecting one form; I want to try new things, mix mediums, explore what I don’t yet know. My work ranges from oils and acrylics to gouache, watercolors, ink, markers, and pencils—a mix that lets me express the full range of what I see and feel.
Strategic Design, Management & Leadership
As you might have guessed, I’m drawn to intersections—liminal spaces where seemingly separate fields converge. My art practice is deeply intertwined with my career in design and management, and this fluidity has become central to who I am as a creator. Whether I’m in the studio, at the drawing board, or guiding teams, I bring an integrative, systemic approach to everything I do.
Design, Futures, and Systems
In parallel with my art, I’ve developed expertise in strategic design, a discipline where design meets futures thinking, systems thinking, and business strategy. This work spans industries—from fashion and agriculture to sports and government—and it shapes my art both ideologically and practically. Strategic design isn’t just about creating; it’s about countering forces of fragmentation and disconnection by envisioning what’s possible. Through this lens, I strive to bring something good into the world—a commitment that guides my art as well.
The principles I apply in design—seeing the bigger picture, thinking long-term, approaching challenges holistically—also guide my approach to coaching artists and creatives. These methods have shaped my career and allowed me to help hundreds of people navigate career choices and creative decisions with clarity and confidence.
People leadership, Mentoring, and Coaching
My experience in leadership flows naturally into my art. Understanding people is central to both coaching and painting. As a manager, I’ve navigated challenges, guided teams through creative blocks, taught, mentored, and developed long-term relationships that foster growth and exploration. These skills—public speaking, teaching, coaching, mentorship—are a toolkit I rely on across disciplines, helping me work with diverse personalities and perspectives. This experience enriches my art, allowing me to connect more deeply, empathize with my audience, and express the nuances of human experience.
What ties it all together?
Moving fluidly between these fields helps me find new perspectives, tackle complex problems, and express something greater than any one field alone. This integration of art, design, and mentorship makes my creative practice richer, bringing the full spectrum of my experiences into each piece I create.