As a parent and life-long artist, I have always marveled at the boundless creativity and imagination that children possess. From doodling whimsical creatures to crafting colorful masterpieces, their artistic talents fill the world with wonder.

My own experiences as an artist, however, led me to a disheartening realization – children with special artistic talents are often taken for granted. A child’s artistic abilities are often only acknowledged and valued when they are producing art for someone else's needs. Artistic exploitation extends to adulthood, when young artists choose to make a living with their skills. I wanted young artists to be aware of this, so I wrote my first children’s book, Courage Takes Practice. As young readers delve into the story, they will learn invaluable life lessons about embracing their uniqueness, finding their voice against those who choose to exploit their talents, and finding the strength to do so through art.

I have been an artist since I was 2 years old, drawing bears in overalls all over my sketchbooks (and walls), and now writing and illustrating my own children's books.

Since having my daughter in 2019, I have learned more about the importance of letting my child lead the creative moments in our house instead of me interjecting and taking over because I’m a professional artist. I needed to give her the “Right” encouragement. But what is the “right” encouragement?