Where it started...
Where did my journey as an artist start? Well, honestly, that’s a tricky question. I’ve loved art since I was little. I grew up in a crafty, entrepreneurial family where we were always encouraged to play with paints, draw cards and pictures, and think creatively. I think I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist, but I didn’t know if I was going to make it my actual career until I was about 12–13. That’s when I finally decided I wanted to take it further than just doodles in my sketchbook or the occasional watercolor painting for family.
My parents supported me unconditionally, helping me with everything from setting up my Etsy shop in the beginning to landing big illustrating jobs. My mom even helped me edit my debut novel, The Fernshade Chronicles: Fernhaven Rising (published February 2026).
In 2023, I started my Etsy shop, Flora & Designs, began listing, and got my first few sales. I also took an art class by fellow artist Mariah Brancheau, who taught me about my love for acrylic paints and florals. From what I learned from her, I let my creativity blossom and developed my own style with flora and animals.
In 2024, things really began to pick up when I displayed a painting during the Young Artist Exhibit in April and later that summer participated in my first art gallery exhibit for Art In The Loft’s Summerview showing, which ran from April to August. I was the youngest artist there. That exhibit brought me so many blessings and fueled me to start selling at several local locations in my town, help paint a mural with fellow artist Sydney Compeau, and achieve even more in 2025.
