Q: Can you share a bit about your journey from Winnipeg to a small town in Alberta? How has the move influenced your artistic journey or the themes you explore in your art?

A: The reason my husband and I decided to move to Alberta was to be closer to the mountains. I have always loved being in nature and the mountains have always been a special place for me. When we started hiking and adventuring in the mountains I had always thought I’d love to paint what I see. Now with the experience I have gained art wise, I am able to pull inspiration from my hikes and books together.

Q: As someone who doesn’t have a traditional creative background, what were some of the challenges you faced in starting your art journey? How did you overcome them?

A: Starting out painting when you don’t have any creative background has many challenges. I have had to train my brain to see shapes in the images that I want to paint and build the image from there. Then there is the shading, painting from dark to light to help create depth and dimension. I struggled most with landscapes, how to make certain parts look farther way.

To help with these challenges I have and continue to do small art courses and tutorials from other artists. I have put in a tremendous amount of time and energy painting and practicing everyday.

Q: Can you tell us more about your creative process? How do you approach a new piece, and what are some of your favourite tools or techniques that you use in your work?

A: I find I get the most inspired to paint something through the fantasy books that I read and from the hikes that I go on.

I make notes of particular scenes in books that inspire me, usually I’ll have an image pop in my mind of what I think it would look like. I then go through my hiking pictures and pick one that is close to the image in my mind. I then loosely use that image as a reference photo to help me with perspective.

As I paint, I use many different brushes to get different textures. I’m not afraid to experiment, I’ll use paper towels, a palette knife, sponges and sometimes even use some of my sons toys.

Q: How do you balance your work as a Volunteer Coordinator and your passion for painting? Does one influence or inspire the other in any way?

A: I feel that I am lucky in that my job as a Volunteer Coordinator is part time, so the days that I am not working I am painting. Painting is a huge passion of mine and am hoping to make it a full time career in the future.

I find that my creative side compliments my job as a Volunteer Coordinator. I am always coming up with new ideas and projects in my Volunteer Coordinator role.

Q: What does a typical painting session look like for you? Do you have any rituals or routines that help you get into a creative mindset?

A: I am never low on ideas for paintings, so I’ll usually start a painting session with an idea in mind. I usually like to paint with some music playing in the background or I’ll be listening to an audiobook. From there I just get immersed in the process, completely content to paint for as long as I can.

Q: Looking back, what advice would you give to new artists who might be hesitant to start because they don’t have a creative background or formal training?

A: My advice for others who are wanting to start painting:

Everyone has to start somewhere, start with paints nights. Are your paintings going to be amazing to start off? No, they won’t but it is all part of the learning process. You are training your brain to look at the world in a whole new perspective. Never give up. If you never take that first step and try, you won’t know what you could create in the future.