Welcome to my
online home

I make patterns, art, and classes that bring the joy of nature and close observation into everyday life.

My work grows from curiosity—about the living world, about materials, and about the small details that make something feel just right.

This online extension of my studio is a place to slow down, follow what catches your eye, and surround yourself with things and experiences that feel wondrous and delightful.

Person drawing sketches of seashells in a notebook while holding a seashell in their hand, seated at an outdoor table.

A desert garden with various cacti and drought-tolerant plants, including tall, columnar, and prickly pear varieties, under a partly cloudy sky.

A grassy pathway running alongside a yellow wildflower field, bordered by green trees under a bright, partly cloudy sky.

A rocky shoreline with large rocks and small waves, and three seagulls perched on a rock in the ocean.

Growing Curious

Art and nature have always played a central part in my life.

My deep love of the natural world grew from my childhood experiences playing and being outside in rural Wisconsin and exploring the deserts, mountains, and canyons of Arizona. We were encouraged to observe, experiment, and find joy in the process. One of my great pleasures is observing carefully, and I credit the time, the encouragement, and these early experiences.

Deepening my Skills

Nurturing my early curiosity with education to develop a personal art practice.

I fell in love with fabric and sewing in high school, which eventually led me to study Textiles and Fibers at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. I learned how to silkscreen, dye, print, and build patterns by hand.

That same love of art and the natural world led me to teach and work at the Chicago Botanic Garden and The Morton Arboretum, where learning, observation, and nature come together beautifully. Those experiences continue to shape how I design and how I teach.

Person sitting outdoors, sketching in a notebook, holding a small bouquet of colorful flowers, with colored pencils nearby.

looking closeR

Before patterns, products, or plans, there’s observation and presence.

Scientific illustration classes in college taught me how to observe carefully and understand what I’m seeing. But long before that, I learned by being outside, by noticing details, and by letting questions lead the way.

Art and science naturally belong together. Both rely on careful observation.

Person in a wide-brimmed hat, sunglasses, and casual clothing walking on a sandy beach with rocks and seaweed, with ocean waves and distant land in the background.

Close-up of a starfish on sandy beach surrounded by broken shells.

Person holding a seashell with a sketch of seashells on paper, with more seashells in a box on a woven surface in the background, and a pencil nearby.

ChoosING the scenic route

I’ve always been drawn to places where there’s something to notice just beyond the obvious.

Tide pools, forest paths, desert trails, gardens, and even rooms in old houses where the scale shifts and a small surprise waits for you if you’re paying attention.

That instinct—to slow down and look closely—shapes everything I make. My work starts with curiosity, observation, and a willingness to follow what’s interesting.

Person arranging cardboard pieces on a table with art supplies and a blurred background of greenery.

exploring & Creating

Unexpected outcomes are often the best ones.

My creative process begins with careful observation and sketching, whenever possible with real objects. I love using a soft graphite pencil on heavy drawing paper. From those first sketches, I may move onto pen and ink, gouache, or go straight to Procreate and Illustrator.

Slowing down and sketching, often capturing multiple views of a single object, helps me see more and sometimes leads to results I never would have planned.

A wicker basket filled with papers and fabric samples sits on a wooden outdoor table, surrounded by pink peonies and green foliage, with a container of colored pencils nearby.

Living the work

My greatest joy is creating patterns, art, and classes that connect you to the beauty and wonder of the natural world.

When I’m not in my studio, you can find me digging in my garden, working on our 100-year-old house (tons of charm and tons of projects :), exploring the outdoors, or planning my next adventure!