ABOUT The Things I Do | Patrons & Parents

ABOUT The Things I Do :)

Creative problem-solving is the way through everything...

I believe that art & creativity shapes our world, fully and completely!

Art education should be recognized as essential subject within the curriculum so that all children are given equal opportunity to express themselves creatively each and everyday. It has been proven that kids, teens and adults of all ages are happier people when they're given opportunities to express themselves in a nurturing atmosphere. Especially in today's lightning fast-paced world, young minds need a place to be creative, to be themselves while they express themselves at their own pace.

I am continuously inspired by the great Leonardo da Vinci. He was born one year after the Age of Renaissance and because his parents were not married, was not permitted too attend proper education. Despite this lack, and societal rules, he chose to follow his heart and utilized his curious nature to discover the world on his own terms.

But What Have I Done and What Do I Do... In a nut shell...

Well, just about everything. I do teach a lot of art forms to MANY kids, tweens, teens and adults. Check out my Portfolio here on the website to see it all. I make art out of a LOT of different things and you can look at my Gallery to see that stuff. But going back a few years, say 1998 I graduated from Alberta College of Art - now the University of the Arts - with Honors of Distinction. By 2001 I started teaching art through Okotoks local gallery until 2020 and for a few years, I taught at Paintworks Art Supplies and joined the Okotoks Art Council. During this time I was a store manager and gained my Certified Art Framer certificate. By 2008 I opened my Inspiration Studio this year for semi-private art lessons and obtained my Class One Childhood Worker certificate and worked as a preschool teachers' assistant until 2017. Still a member of the local arts council, we put on three Enchanted Okotoks' town wide events - in which I ran the artisan market each time. 2019 found me in a full time 2 year Marketing Coordinator Diploma Program through The Academy of Learning Career College.

The Nooks & Crannies Festival in 2021 had me build a 70 sq ft upcycled castle and installed it at 94 Take the Cake. Go to my Portfolio page to see it! From 2018 - 2020 I facilitated 8 multiple-window murals with local youth. 2023, along with my Phoenix Art Club we set up a big outdoor art event for the Alberta Summer Games. Photos are above in the gallery. Since 2013, during the summer months I host art events with our local annual Children's Festival and coordinate and facilitate 2 annual Youth Markets through my studio 'art kids' at our local Elks Club hall where my students get to sell and showcase their work, partake in Artist Games and help raise funds for animal rescues.