I'm thankful....both of my parents were creative entrepreneurs, and growing up in that environment made me believe I could do anything I put my heart to and there are no limits to what is possible.
My father was a pattern maker, taking two dimensional blueprints and creating three dimensional realities in wood, metal and plastic prototypes and final production products. He was an inventor and his products have remained sale-able items beyond his lifetime.
My Mom, Wanda S. Hanson of Exuberant Color blog began quilting as a self taught teen creating her first quilt at her mother's request for a relative's new baby. She has become a prominent blogger and quilt artist, you'll notice her work on my studio walls. They make me smile every day.
This colorful and sensorial beginning cannot be eliminated from my story. The scent of wood shavings and awakening of the many varieties of wood species and their colorings and qualities..., and the feel of embroidery threads and fabrics, working in both hand and machine sewing... are part of who I am. A visionary and designer like my father, and a lover of color and pattern like my mom, I am so proud to be continuing in a form of creativity that is unique to who I am, yet grounded in my beginnings..
I learned mosaic during a 4 year ex-pat season in the UK, and discovered the love of light dancing across the surface of a work. I played in batik and designing unique original works with wax and dyes. I learned digital design more recently and it has completely opened up the world of applications for my designs. I'm part illustrator, part entrepreneur, part designer, but wholly letting my gifts lead the way.
There are no boundaries to the ways an illustration and design can be applied.
What a great moment in time we live in!