Happy New Year! ✨

2025 was a year of big changes, growth and new community.

After years of planning, my husband Anthony and I

finally made the move to Burnsville, NC (near Asheville).

We fell in love with this area, because of its natural beauty and creative community.

I already feel at home here and have met so many kind, authentic and talented people. It's truly a magical place ♡

Since I moved here, I've heard many personal stories of the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene that have brought tears to my eyes. I can't believe how quickly this community has banded together and began rebuilding, through their sorrow and pain.

It's amazing how much has been healed. Asheville and the quaint little mountain towns that surround it are coming back stronger than ever and are ready for visitors.

The River Arts District has over 700 artists working there again!

Galleries and studio spaces that were completely destroyed are open and looking better than ever. The community is stronger and more connected than ever,

because of what they have endured together.

I have so much admiration for their vulnerability and strength.

Many artists lost their entire bodies of work, as well as their studios, equipment and supplies, in the flood. If you would like to help them out, donations to the
NC Arts Disaster Relief Fund provide funding and assistance
directly to artists and arts organizations affected by Hurricane Helene.

T H A N K Y O U

Thank you to all who have purchased artwork, commissioned paintings,

visited my studio, and spoke kind words to me this past year ♡

It's not always easy being a self-employed artist. There are times I want to give up.

I get overwhelmed by the amount of energy, dedication and vulnerability that it takes.

Every sale and word of encouragement fulfills me and keeps me going ✨

(Keep reading for my highlights, lowlights and my favorite things this year…)

SHOP

H I G H L I G H T S O F 2 0 2 5

• Moved to North Carolina

• Opened my new studio and gallery space ✨
You can view photos here. E-mail me to schedule a visit.

• Participated in the Toe River Arts Studio Tour for the first time.

• Released my new poetry book, “Tide.” You can purchase a copy here.

• Released my new children's book, “Sheltering Trees.” You can purchase a copy here.

• Painted a new collection of watercolors and inks on canvas. View the collection.

• Painted a new series of mushrooms. View the collection.

• Learned embroidery and created a couple original pieces. View them here.

• Learned wire-wrapped jewelry. View the collection.

• Completed some fulfilling commissions, including a few pieces

for Enchantment Resort in Sedona and the album cover for Nova Deco by JG Shadid

(check out his incredible music here).

• Did lots of reading, writing, hiking and exploring the area, including ziplining for the first time!

• Adopted the sweetest rescue border collie, Morris (aka “Mossy" or “Moss”) ♡

L O W L I G H T S O F 2 0 2 5

• With very heavy hearts, Anthony and I had to say goodbye to our best friend ever– our border collie, Newman. He was the most loyal dog to us for nearly fifteen years. He developed unmanageable pain in his old age and it was time to set him free. Though he's gone, he feels closer to my heart than ever.

This Helen Keller quote has meant so much to me:

“What we have once enjoyed we can never lose; all that we love deeply becomes a part of us.”

• Moving and transitioning to a new area has been both exciting and difficult. As much as I love living here, I have faced many struggles during the transition. As an introvert and highly sensitive person who gets overstimulated easily, moving, running a business and opening a new gallery space takes its toll. I hope 2026 is a year of groundedness!