I’ve worked in children’s museums since I was in college, and it has revolutionized the way I make art. In my professional work, I see the value of play and the process of making art for children’s cognitive and social development. Consequently, I began being more playful with my own art, experimenting with different colors, materials, and techniques. I believe that focusing on the process of making art, rather than solely the outcome, can be beneficial for both adults and children. As an educator and artist, I am hugely inspired by picture book illustrations and how art can be used as a tool for learning. I started Tales from Marydale Lane as an outlet to share all of the ideas bouncing around in my head about art and my favorite picture books.

I live with my husband, Austin, and pet ball python, Jezero, in a suburb just outside of Seattle. I have a B.S. in Planetary Sciences, an interdisciplinary field that, above all else, taught me to notice and appreciate small details in the world around us; I’m constantly being inspired by things found in my own backyard.