My Story

Ah, yes, the classic burned-out nurse turned to artist. That is exactly how my story unfolds. But, certainly, not where it began.

For as long as I can remember I have loved picking up whatever hobby I can get my hands on. Oftentimes trails of paint, yarn, fabric, thread, and/or a variety of other materials follow my way and have for many years.

As I began nursing school, my paintbrush was slowly replaced with colored pens, my canvas became books, and my time was solely on my studies.

It’s here one might say, “she lost herself,” but I believe each step of the way has brought me to where I am today.

You see, it was in nursing school I ended up in an adult ICU for 8 weeks. Here people shared their stories, while looking at me with agony, hoping their lives were meaningful, before they took their last breath. I don’t think there’s any words I could put down on this paper that adequately describes what this felt like day-after-day for 8 weeks (I am truly so grateful there are nurses/chaplains who choose this as their full-time career, if you’re one of them THANK YOU!).

Eventually, I graduated and became a pediatric nurse. Unable to shake the stories and regrets those individuals shared with me in the ICU I couldn’t help feeling like I was living a life I would regret when my time came.

Discussing a particularly bad day to my husband, Paul, I shared I felt sad knowing how our lives were going to go: careers, kids, house, ect. And felt my real dreams were dying: full-time traveling and being an artist. Without hesitation Paul started looking at campers and bought me art supplies, even writing my business name in sharpie on the box.

So our new lives of no regrets began, In 2018 my husband and I began renovating a camper, while I continued to be a pediatric nurse and then Covid hit (can we all agree that was a doozy)? I quickly felt as though I was losing my spark and interests, quit nursing, started traveling full-time, and began my lifelong dream of owning an art business.

So that leaves me where I’m at today: currently living in a renovated 1976 Avion Travelcader, exploring the United States, visiting several National Parks, Seashores, Lakeshores, and even big cities over the next few years. Traveling is where I get most, if not all, of my inspiration for my art pieces.

Naturally, I love all things outdoors: hiking, camping, kayaking, fishing, hammocking the occasional long boarding—I warned you, lots of hobbies.

In my story I hope you take away three things. The first being, stories are important to share, they connect each of us to one another, hold value, and make life a meaningful one. The second, follow your dreams, they’re planted in you for a reason, and you only have one life to live so let’s live it to the fullest! Last but not least, sometimes life takes you places you’d rather not go but trust the process, find your moments of peace in chaos, there’s more beauty there than you’d think. 

Thanks for stopping by! Take a look around or drop a note to say hello! If you would like a more, “behind the scenes” look follow me on Instagram.  If you would like to follow our travels follow us on Instagram or YouTube