reprinted from Artfire.com, read original story.
If there’s one thing that defines you, what is it?
Freedom defines me greatly. I escaped from my corporate cubicle several years ago. Every day that I get to play in my studio is a day of complete freedom for me.
What role does your family play in your art?
I like to call them “the questioners”. They stroll into my studio and say things like, “hey, what’s that supposed to be?” or “is that a tennis shoe sticking out of the that woman’s ear?”
Where do you live and what is it like?
I live in South Georgia, in an area of Southern culture, flat farm fields, and red clay dirt.
Where did you learn to craft?
I have learned a little from each book, each class, and each painting that I have made.
Who is your favorite craft supplier? 
Binders Art Supply Store in Atlanta, Georgia.
If there is a new craft you could learn, what would it be and why?
Knitting. I have been trying to learn this for years, but I can’t seem to settle down long enough to stick with it.
What are your goals with your ArtFire studio?
I would like to maintain a growing and inspiration presence with my ArtFire Studio.
Where do you receive your inspiration, in general?
Generally I find my inspiration in tiny cracks, splatters, crevices, and other textures from the natural world. If you look carefully, you will see lots of this texture in my paintings.
How did you come to selling crafts?
I hate to admit it, but selling brings me artistic validation. I love interacting with my collectors. I love it when they get their painting hung up on the wall in their home. I love it when they write to tell me how they are thrilled with their artwork. Most people really don’t realize the impact that one large colorful painting will have on a room. There is no way to fully realize this impact until you get the painting installed in your own room. Holding gallery exhibits is fun. The wine is good. But there is nothing like the connection and thrill I get when someone plucks down their hard earned money for something I put my heart and soul into.
Who are your other favorite ArtFire artists?
Right now I am into any and everything steampunk. I just can’t get enough of it. I spend most of my time searching the steampunk artist products.
How did you come to find a home on ArtFire?
The site is designed well. I find it easy to navigate and easy to list my products. For me, easy rocks.
What is the best piece of advice you can give other artists?
Keep painting until you find your style. You can’t find it by reading about art or looking at art. You have to find it by old fashioned hard work in the studio.
What is the most treasured thing in your craft stash?
My 1 inch soft sable brush.
If you won a thousand dollar craft shopping spree, what would you spend it on?
Handmade jewelry.
Why do you think that buying and selling handmade products benefits society?
Handmade connects us like no other product. Handmade goods have a story built into them. One may not know the story, but just holding, touching, and feeling a handmade product conjures up a story and a history about the hands that made it.
What is a common misconception about you?
Most people assume that since I paint mostly abstract art, that abstract art must by my favorite kind. Truth is I love it all. Some of my favorite styles happen to be Hudson River Valley School, which is quite different from abstract painting.
