I come from a strongly matriarchal family with deep roots in Washington State. My grandmother grew up farming in the Yakima Valley and raised her three kids in Olympia. My grandmother, my mother, and my two aunts have always been at the center of my large extended family. The three of them, along with their younger brother, instilled in all of us a sense that if you wanted something, you could make it yourself. Some of my fondest memories are of my mother, grandmother, aunts, and sister all sewing banners for a party, or making soap and clove oranges. My grandmother built three houses in her lifetime, and she frequently volunteered with habitat for humanity–even into her nineties.
I’m privileged to have been able to attend a small liberal arts college in Eastern WA. While it was a difficult experience for a visually-minded, hands on person, I’m incredibly grateful for the gifts it gave me, including critical thinking, writing, and lasting friendships.
I took a year off from college after my sophomore year. During that time I worked as a caregiver for my godmother who was sick with bone marrow cancer. This was an incredibly emotional experience that taught me so much about how to support others in grief and anger and what my role can be in difficult situations.
I have ten years of experience working for local artists helping them bring their public art projects to life. Through these projects I have learned a wide variety of fabricating techniques. I also know how to work with opinionated creatives to help them realize their vision.
My work with artists led me into a role in construction. For the past three years I have been working with local artists to restore an early 1900s brick storefront and turn it into a coffee shop. Construction experience makes me an excellent problem solver and planner. I learned to think through everything in advance, which is invaluable when applied to graphic design work.