ARTIST Q&A

Born: Concord, NH

Currently lives: Somerville, MA

Title of artwork:Enrichment

What’s it about?
This watercolor painting is a meditation on my personal intentions for the year ahead. It symbolizes the powerful gifts that are available at our fingertips when we turn toward enrichment of our creative selves. At the end of each year, I have a ritual of selecting a word to guide my intentions for the upcoming year ahead. Every year, the word for the new year finds its way to me in a subtle and powerful way within the last few weeks of the year. This year, I found myself vividly visualizing digging my fingers into the cool rich soil of a garden, surrounded by lush growth and the comforting glow of the summer sun warming my skin. The universe whispered in my ear, “…enrichment.”

Where else can we find your work?
On my website and Instagram! I also have original paintings (including Enrichment) and prints for sale at 1369 Coffeehouse in Central Sq throughout the month of May

Where is your favorite public art piece in the area?
I love the entertainment of the explosion of DIY sculptural art along the Somerville Community Path, and any time I’m surprised on a walk around the city by a new beautiful mural that’s emerged.

Who is your favorite Boston-area artist to follow?
All the creative entrepreneurs and artists that have been supporting me as I start on my own journey with entrepreneurship this year – @lexistreefort @gigis_general, @soleiarts, and @createdbymame to name just a few.

What’s your favorite way to spend a day off?
Digging into a creative outlet I don’t make as much time for in my current practice, like sewing clothing. Or my ultimate favorite way to pass time – tackling an organization project around the apartment.

Favorite food spot in in Allston, Brighton or the surrounding area?
It used to be Fish Market (still so sad they closed), but I also love Kaju Tofu House!

What have you learned about your creative practice in recent years?
I finally unlocked the truth behind the creative advice that everyone gives out – to simply keep making things every day, to have a “creative habit”. What revealed itself in my practice was that every piece I make plays an important role in shaping my path as an artist, irregardless of how significant I may perceive the piece itself to be. My identity and story is made up of all these tiny pieces, that may seem disparate and unrelated, but make up the whole that is me.

What is a piece of advice you would give to your past self as a young artist?
I would let them know that a career and calling centered around the pursuit of joy and wonder is completely valid and allowed. I would let them know how important it is to tune in to and listen to their gentle and strong sense of intuition, to trust their gut over the noise and demands of the outside world.

You’re hosting book club next, what is everyone reading?
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner

What is your dream project to work on?
Writing and illustrating a children’s picture book and painting a big public mural; I would also love to do illustration and animation projects with practitioners working at the intersection of climate change and mental health.