About the Artist

Ever since I can remember, I've always loved to draw, and I always knew that it was what I wanted to do with my life. One of my first memories is of going up to my mom and asking her to draw a cat for me, and then trying over and over again to draw a cat just like hers. I can’t thank her enough for always being supportive of my passion as I continued to draw throughout my childhood, always just drawing everything that inspired me. 

Having had family in Hawai'i since the 80’s, I grew up visiting the islands from California frequently. Ever since the first moment I saw those vertical carved mountains carpeted in green, I've always had an all-consuming love for the Hawaiian islands, and the spirit of aloha that is integral to life in Hawai’i. I finally came here for good when I traveled to Maui at 16 to help my Grandpa in the summer of 2020, amidst the height of the pandemic. Since then I have been forever thankful to be a part of this beautiful island of Maui, where the inspiration for a new painting resides almost everywhere you look. From the mountains to the sea, the people and the culture, to the irreplaceable native species of plants and animals that are jewels to this world, Hawai'i is a truly special place.

What inspires my art is the indescribable beauty of nature. I'm always thinking about nature as I'm painting with my watercolors, and just how similar the two are. As paint bleeds through the surface of wet watercolor paper, the pigment forms rivers and flows out in wild ways, running with the same forces that give clouds their shape, guides a stream through mountainous valleys, and sends trees branching through the earth and sky in graceful natural patterns. This magical element of watercolor has helped shape my appreciation for not only nature but the creative process as well. Sometimes when painting, it's easy to get worked up about the little accidents, unexpected changes, or getting the “right” colors in, but what nature and watercolors have taught me is that sometimes a painting comes together when we let go and see the way that the water and paint naturally flow as part of the beauty in the painting, because just as a river cannot be misshaped or the stars can never be misplaced, the unexpected turns that watercolors can take you down are some of the most beautiful parts of the painting. 

When I paint, I seek to capture the peaceful feeling of being present in the moment when I get to stand by my favorite beach, watch a sunset or gaze up through the trees at the secret world that lives in the canopy. I hope that through my art, I get to continue to inspire myself and others to never stop seeking and feeling the peace that lives in the natural world, and appreciating just how valuable every landscape, ocean, and living creature is to our lives.

Currently, my art can be found in local shops in Hawai'i such as Island Living Gifts (Maui), the Kilauea Lodge (Big Island) and Mea Aloha (Big Island) as well as the Lahaina Art Society’s Local art fair held on Fridays and Saturdays by the Cannery, where you can meet me in person with my art!

Gallery