A little bit about some of my past projects:

I believe that art should invoke some sort of emotion. I like to use bright and warm colors to create an uplifting and inviting atmosphere. Sometimes, I experiment with different materials such as coffee beans, tea, salt, sand, old newspapers… in order to create unique textures and patterns. Thus, chance plays some role in my work. When I install my pieces, I usually add some tape art on the wall around them to create an interesting view.

I recently did a coffee piece for my friend using just sharpies and nail polish remover instead of watercolors.

I’m currently working on:

Right now, nothing… but in the nearest future I would love to do a big coffee mural somewhere near downtown Toledo.

Living in Toledo is an advantage for my work because:

Toledo is a mid-size city with low cost of living that is centrally located to large cities such as: Ann Arbor, MI, Chicago, Cleveland, and Detroit, MI. It has a world-class museum and beautiful architecture, where local artists can seek some inspiration.

One of my greatest successes :

I graduated with my master's degree in May '15, and my art work was displayed locally (Downtown Latte, Bleak House Coffee, Black Kite, and Spicy Tuna Sushi Bar).

What inspires me:

Positive creative people.

About my background:

I moved from Eau Claire, WI to Toledo because I got accepted into the graduate school in Statistics. It was the first big move that I did on my own. At first, it was very stressful due to the fact that I had to learn how to manage my time/priorities. Plus, I didn't know anyone here at first, so I started to spend more and more time painting. It helped me to distress and to develop as a person and as an artist.

A favorite quote I try to live by:

"Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you'll land among the stars."

My favorite local culture in Toledo:

Old West End

! I'm in love with Victorian style houses.

Toledo’s ‘best-kept secret’ is…

That downtown Toledo is not as scary as its reputation.

My favorite place to chill locally is…  

Black Kite Coffee.

Favorite natural space in Toledo:

Toledo Botanical Garden.

When not working hard, I can be found…

At USA Martial Arts, breaking boards.  

If I could change the current landscape for creative progressive people in Toledo…

I wish there were more gardens, galleries, and art opportunities/shows for local artists/musicians.  I’m in love with Old West End and some of the beautiful abandoned buildings down there. It would be so cool to turn some of them into art galleries and bring more people in.

One person (living or deceased) I’d like to collaborate with:

Tim Burton.

An album, book or website I can’t live without:

The Master and Margarita by Mikhail Bulgakov.

Three words that best describe me and/or your work:

Colorful, unique, uplifting

My 5 ‘desert island’ album picks:

Muse, Absolution

Modest Mouse, Strangers to Ourselves

Apocalyptica, Reflections

Offspring, Smash

Nirvana, Nevermind

Biggest vice is…

Lemon/Orange Latte at Black Kite

I’d like to see _______ in Toledo.

More local coffee shops/businesses.  

The last lyric that moved me:

"Flying like a cannonball, falling to the earth / Heavy as a feather when you hit the dirt” — Cold War Kids

One movie character I identify with:

Thor

The best gift I ever received was…

Meeting amazing and inspiring people here in Toledo. One of them is local artist Danielle Herrera.

My most inspiring moment is/was:

When I saw a picture of my painting in a local newspaper.

I want my last meal to be:

Sushi with Sriracha sauce.