Some of my earliest memories are of my mother, seated at our kitchen table, sketching or drawing pen-and-ink still lifes. I grew up creating art as well, first as a way to capture my mother’s attention, and later as a way to bond with her. My grandparents too were artists, who favored watercolors, oil paint and woodblock printing.

Influenced by these surroundings, I turned naturally to drawing and painting as familiar outlets to express feelings and to document my life experiences. I continued to draw and paint through school, and went on to study graphic design and fine art at the University of Georgia, where I earned a BFA. I also completed graduate work in Cortona, Italy, where I studied calligraphy and art history.