My recent travels to Greece, Portugal, and Mexico were nothing short of a whirlwind – a vibrant explosion of color, texture, and history that has resonated within me, sparking a new artistic spin I'm excited to share. Exploring historic places has become the seeds of inspiration for my work, influencing not only the themes and palettes but also encouraging me to tap into my own roots.

Hiking up and standing amidst the sun-drenched ruins of the Acropolis, was equally the hottest day of 2024 🥵 while being wildly memorable in the presence of centuries of history. The intricate patterned azulejo tiles of Portugal tell stories of resilience, community, and beauty. I found myself in Mexico at the end of the year among hues, textures, and tastes that took me by storm. These are just glimpses of the experiences that have recently fueled my creative flow.

These visits weren't just about sightseeing, but curiously finding and absorbing the energy of each place. The vibrant blues of the Aegean Sea, the earthy tones of Portuguese architecture, the bold colors of Mexican folk art – all are finding their way into my latest travel mixed media pieces. I love the way these colors and photos interact with each other, how they evoke emotions and tell silent stories. Textures always play a starring role throughout my work. Pulling inspiration from the rough stone of ancient monuments to the threads of mexican textiles, I'm exploring how to translate these experiences into my art and love what’s coming to life.

So I’m excitedly introducing a new style of work by marrying my abstract paintings and mixed media photographs together. Plus there’s a new, subtle medium joining us: hand sewing. This isn't entirely new to me. It's a connection to my own history, a tribute to my grandmother. She was a woman of quiet creativity, always creating clothing, cooking handmade biscuits, and wrangling me and my cousins. I have vivid memories of her sewing dresses for me and my sisters and carefully crafting bows and other accessories. She even made clothes for our American Girl dolls, an early memory that I think opened my eyes to originality. My Samatha doll was one of a kind ☺️ accessorized with love. I’ve been so drawn to finding new inspiration by visiting historic cities - but these last trips have reminded me of family and the creative connectivity we all uniquely share.

Thinking about the moments with my grandmother is awakening a deep appreciation for her craftsmanship of sewing. My amateur hand work is intended to create movement while giving a nod to those who came before us and their craftsmanship - learning skills out of necessity and passed down with love in the forms of smocked ruffly dresses for me and my sisters to wear on Sunday mornings. (Whew, this one got me <3)

A single piece of thread is weaving together the stories and emotions inspired by my travels.

This new direction is evolving - a culmination of my artistic journey. Excited to see where this path leads, and I'm eager to share these new pieces with you – whether you're an art collector seeking something truly special, an interior designer looking for a unique statement piece, or a fellow art enthusiast following along with my creative process. Stay tuned for updates and release dates! I can't wait to share these colorfully stitched canvases!

From Ancient Ruins to Stitched Stories: An Evolving Creative Journey