I took my very first drawing class at Santa Monica College in LA, and the world of art opened up an entire universe I never knew existed. I took my journal everywhere I went and drew everything in sight. I visited museums and attended underground art shows. Every sketch made me feel more present in the moment and one step closer to discovering myself.

I started college unsure of my path, bouncing between English and psychology, until one day I painted a mural in my co-op at Kidd Hall. We had a party and I received tons of compliments on my first mural. The next day after the party, I switched my major to Art Practice. During my time there, I experimented with video art, painting, and sculpture. My hands first touched clay, exploring shapes, textures, and the transformational nature of clay and the kiln. During this time, I also taught at Sticky Art Lab, guiding the youth from ages 5–13 in clay, sculpture, and painting. I hosted clay nights where folks would gather, snack, and drink good tea. This was my first experience of the magical portal that emergences when gathering while making.

I completed my final semester abroad in Rome, Italy, diving deep into painting, photography, and personal exploration at Arte Bottega. Living in Rome, I traveled to neighboring countries, learned to cook, and immersed myself in the rhythm of a new culture. I taught English while freelancing in design and illustration, continuing to nurture my personal art practice and expanding my understanding of storytelling through visuals.

I began merging art with design through my Master’s at La Sapienza University. After my father passed, I channeled grief into creation. I designed an app to support those mourning loved ones, helping users access memories and meaningful keepsakes. This project deepened my belief in the power of art and design to heal and connect us as humans.

Returning to the U.S., I launched my freelance design studio, crafting hand-drawn, vintage-inspired logos and visual identities. I also worked as an in-house designer for Expressmed Partners, honing my craft over two years while leading initiatives for the various brands we partnered with. I created the Create internship program for students and recent grads to gain real-world experience and launched the Create newsletter, highlighting the month’s design work published on marketplaces such as Amazon, Walmart and Target.

I returned to hosting art and clay workshops, reconnecting with my Berkeley roots. Using air-dry clay, I combined meditation and movement with sculpting, fostering connection and creativity in each participant. I became a member at Tao of Clay and deepened my own clay practice, building both community and craft.

I took the leap to do my art full-time and launched an online shop for ceramics, art prints, and workshops, bringing grounding and playful creativity to homes as well as in person workshops.