About Grace

You have the urge to create. My greatest role is to encourage you to heed that call, and my greatest satisfaction comes when you discover creating art is not only fun but a truly valuable use of your precious time.

As your teacher, I encourage experimentation and exploration during your art-making process. I believe venturing beyond your creative comfort zone builds confidence—a benefit you can enjoy inside the art studio and beyond. 

You can do this and I’m here to help. 

FAVORITE QUOTE:

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.

So throw off the bowlines.

Sail away from the safe harbor.

Catch the trade winds in your sails.

Explore.

Dream.

Discover.”           ~ Mark Twain

I help people who want to make art in a way that is meaningful and fun.

Your creativity is there. Sometimes it has to be coaxed out of its hiding places.

All of my workshops are created so you can be comfortable in risk-taking, experimentation and exploring your creative journey. My role is to inspire rather than teach.

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Creativity has been a central force in my life for as long as I can remember.

Without a dose of daily creativity, I feel like something in my life is missing.

In my first memory, I clutch a little red book with gilded gold pages in one hand and a mini pencil in the other hand. I want to write a story. Even though I know that the marks I make weren’t making real words, I make them anyway. To this day, I continue to write in blank journals and add the element of visual images to enrich and deepen the experience.

Another early memory was when I was three years old. We had come from New Jersey to California to visit my father’s family. My Uncle Ricky takes me by the hand. We walk to the neighborhood drug store, hand in hand and he buys me a coloring book and box of crayons. Whenever I am around Crayola crayons and smell that distinct scent, I am transported to that memory.

I love that as children we are encouraged to be creative. Unfortunately, as adults, we don’t always have someone to take us by the hand and lend encouragement. I am here to take you by the hand so you can discover and access your creative potential.

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THE BIO:

Education:  In 2003, I graduated with a B.A. in Visual and Public Art from CSU Monterey Bay, Magna Cum Laude. It took ten years to get my degree while juggling motherhood, work, and a busy home life. I understand slow and steady determination.

Seamstress: My mom gave me my first sewing machine when I was seven. In high school, I made custom clothing for me and my friends. For about 30 years, I sewed freelance – custom clothing, creating dolls, quilts, accessories, making alterations, restoring vintage clothing, and creating custom home interior projects (drapes, pillows, refurbishing furniture), etc. Now when I sew, it’s strictly for fun.

Life Coach: What all my favorite past and current jobs have in common is to help people get what they seek. This realization led me to attend Martha Beck life coach training in 2010. I found it was a great way to integrate my ability as a good listener and secret keeper with creativity. Although I don’t officially coach right now, the training that I received heavily influences my workshops and art by understanding the paths that we travel in our quest for a meaningful life.

Certified Zentangle® Teacher: In 2011, I became a Certified Zentangle Teacher, furthering my commitment to live a creative life.

What is Zentangle?

Zentangle is an easy to learn method of creating beautiful images from structured patterns. It is a fascinating new art form that is fun and relaxing. It increases focus and creativity. Zentangle provides artistic satisfaction and an increased sense of personal well being. Zentangle is enjoyed by a wide range of skills and ages and is used in many fields of interest.

“We believe that life is an art form and that Zentangle is an elegant metaphor for deliberate artistry in life.” ~ Maria Thomas and Rick Roberts, founders of Zentangle

Please check out the full version explanation from Zentangle.com.

Personal creativity practice:

• Posting photos of my life to instagram
• Playing in and creating art journals
• Continuing my art education, in person and online
• Writing
• Creating art for sale

I live in the San Francisco Bay Area with my husband. Some of my favorite things I love are dogs, salsa dancing and chocolate (not necessarily in that order). We have two happy, healthy, adult children and a spoiled little rescue dog called Olivia.