Surviving winter is a whole sport for me, and it brings me joy every year.

I find myself looking in the mirror and thinking “I love you.” And it’s pretty fucking great to feel that way.

I’ve been doing a lot of work to be more comfortable seeing myself, and allowing myself to be seen.

Throughout my life, taking care of my body wasn’t a priority unless it was a punishment. Now, I’m doing my best to invest in self-care and in myself.

I love a fresh start. And I have a specific process for when it’s time to move on from painting one series to the next.

My art is all about finding connections in the world and experiencing them together. My art is not meant only for my eyes - it’s for anyone who can see it. For everyone who sees my art for what it is.

About a year and a half ago, I started using the filters on my phone to adjust the paintings I’m working on, allowing me to create discoverable layers with their own stories.

I really enjoy life drawing, but I’ve been struggling to find space and time for it, especially since I can’t attend an in-person class. Luckily, Oxygen Art Centre, based in Nelson, is offering an online figure drawing class!

I am cautious about success now, with everything being online. Naturally, I want to hide, and it makes me nervous about being vulnerable. 

There has been a recent shift in how I price my work.

To consistently find new things that excite me that I want to paint - that’s a big deal, and I’m celebrating it.

I don’t believe in gatekeeping, and I want people to be able to access the same images I use.

Let’s talk about awareness campaigns and how expensive and labour-intensive it is to be disabled in Canada.

I have done A LOT of writing over the course of my life. And the way I’ve done it has varied depending on which phase of life I’m in or what I need at that time.

When folks picture a writer, they might think author or editor or blogger… I believe that any sort of writing makes you a writer. It all counts.

I have a real issue with the class of Vendor. I don’t believe in mass producing things. Printing all of my art onto different things is not in alignment with my values or what I want for the Opal Door.

I am a control freak. The biggest thing is self awareness and knowing how to care for yourself when challenges arise.

I am constantly examining my biases and making adjustments so that I can be a better citizen of the world, and more inclusive of the people in it.

When I say that my art is abstract, I mean that it doesn’t necessarily depict a certain place that you can recognize. But it always depicts an emotional place that you can feel.

We are taught about gender and gender roles all throughout our lives, both directly and indirectly. Gender is a system of violence, oppression, and control, and I am rejecting it.