PROFILE

The fine arts have always drawn me in. With every degree pursued in a different direction, art found a way of taking hold. Through education and discipline, we fine tune our skills; yet what we create ultimately reveals the artist from within. When I am with my art, I am at peace.

BACKGROUND

Studio + Textile Design

From early creative roots in family sewing rooms to building my own studio practice, textiles have always been a natural medium for my work. Between 2016 and 2018, I deepened my understanding of fabric construction and material behavior through independent retail and textile-focused work. This experience expanded my ability to design with intention understanding not only how textiles feel and move, but how they can be shaped into wearable art.

Highlights include:

• Understanding textile construction and manufacturing processes

• Hand dyeing, thread work, sewing techniques, and textile experimentation

• Exploring how stitch patterns and seam placement influence drape and texture

• Developing color blocking, pattern pairing, and layered design composition

In 2017, I launched Shredded Threads Studio, where I create one-of-a-kind scarves and wraps designed with curated textiles, sculptural drape, and architectural softness. Each piece is studio-designed and handmade built to be styled, layered, and worn as art.

Fine Art + Creative Direction

Working in the trenches with nationally ranked artists shaped my creative foundation more than any other experience. During my time with the Peoria Art Guild (2010–2015), my work focused on bringing unconventional art to life through large-scale events, downtown activations, and public-facing creative programming.

I specialized in building community through art: filling galleries, riverfront spaces, and city venues with work that challenged tradition and invited people into something unexpected.

Focus Areas Included:

• Developing spatial skill sets in experimental and immersive art environments

• Applying saturation, hue, value, and palette theory in design

• Exploring the integration of textiles within mixed media and unconventional formats

During this time, my education in Fine Art soared. I sharpened my knowledge with top artist input and studied art appreciation with collectors, restoration experts, and esteemed scholars.   

Business + Brand Development

While the arts have always been my anchor, business has been the structure that allows creativity to grow. I have spent much of my career working in marketing, business development, and growth strategy for mid-sized organizations building programs, strengthening client relationships, and creating scalable systems that drive results.

That experience sharpened my ability to approach creative work with both artistry and discipline - balancing vision with execution.

These vastly different occupations keep me grounded. They demonstrate my sensible approach to life, yet my wildly creative energy. Most of all it has drawn me to connection, storytelling, and creating something that feels alive for the people around me.