About me and my process

Hi, I'm a Chattanooga artist who turns old books into something magical! I create stunning encaustic portraits that blend stories from the past with my imaginative vision, layering wax, paint, and found treasures to give forgotten books a I am an emerging artist because art wasn't always my full-time path. After spending over 30 years i

Hi, I'm a Chattanooga artist who turns old books into something magical! I create stunning encaustic portraits that blend stories from the past with my imaginative vision, layering wax, paint, and found treasures to give forgotten books a I am an emerging artist because art wasn't always my full-time path. After spending over 30 years in the corporate world, I worked with an amazing life coach who helped me find the courage to chase what had always felt like an impossible dream. In 2024, with just a handful of pieces under my belt, I took a leap of faith and applied to the Emerging Artist Program at the 4 Bridges Art Festival. Getting accepted was both terrifying and thrilling, and it became the launchpad for my artistic career.

My art is inspired by everything I love: good books, nature, animals, art, and the heartfelt belief that every woman has her own unique beauty and confidence just waiting to shine through. Each piece starts with an antique novel that I let inspire the fantastical characters that emerge in my portraits. After sketching my ideas digitally, I bring them to life with hand-painted encaustic layers on the book's very own pages.

The encaustic technique (working with heated wax) is the perfect metaphor for my creative journey. Every layer of wax is like a new chapter, adding richness and depth to the story. As I apply heat and watch the colors blend and shift, it mirrors how ideas grow and change in books, in art, and in life. I also love hunting for treasures in antique shops and flea markets, incorporating forgotten objects that carry their own histories into my work. These little pieces connect past and present, blending reality with imagination.

I am blessed that my work has earned several awards and invitations to premier art festivals around the country. But my real success comes from the incredible people around me. Friends and family who cheer her on, help set up shows, build frames and panels, and offer their honest opinions as her unofficial art consultants. Their love and support make it all possible.

Through my art, I invite you to slow down and experience each piece the way you'd savor a favorite book. Take your time discovering the hidden details, think about the story unfolding before you, and let your own imagination find meaning in the layers. After all, every viewer brings their own chapter to the tale.