Being an artist always gave me a quiet kind of confidence. 

As a kid, I never really questioned what the future held—I just knew I’d be a painter. That part was never up for debate. 

My childhood was complicated, and talking about it often only makes it more so. But the short version is: I was homeschooled, along with my three siblings, by our grandmother and my mother.  It was a very private life. I was around 15 when I was enrolled in my first community art class at New Mexico Tech, in my hometown of Socorro, New Mexico. 

It was an oil painting class, and it changed everything. My grandmother was incredibly supportive, and she and my mother re-enrolled me year after year. I know it was a financial stretch—my mom was working two jobs most of the time. That first painting teacher meant the world to me. Her name was Midge Grace. A old war veteran and tough as nails, she taught me a lot about painting and a lot about being a strong woman. 

When I went to college a few years later, naturally it was to become a painter. By then, my painting teacher had retired and moved up north to be near her daughter. She opened the doors to my first job, hired on as her replacement at New Mexico Tech. Still very shy, I was not quite 21...and stepping into that role gifted me with a lot of challenges—and slowly, courage. Teaching helped me grow in ways I couldn't have imagined, and even now I'm still learning from it.

A couple years into college, things got complicated. I became a mother of two—and a single mom. Though my family helped me so much, balancing school and parenting was overwhelming. Juggling motherhood, depression, exhaustion, and financial strain... with a heavy heart I decided to let go of the idea of a formal art career. I leaned into a simpler life, trying to be more present for my children. Being away from them every day to chase something that might never pay off felt too heavy. And yet, I was still painting—still teaching, still freelancing — in many ways, I felt I was already doing what mattered most, degree or no degree.

Then my life changed again. Deciding to follow my childhood dreams of becoming a horsewoman, I took on an internship as a wrangler at a trail riding gig, Acacia Riding Adventures. Over five transformative years, I learned a lot about horses and riding, but also nature and resilience. I went from being an ignorant, "silly horse girl" who knew very little outside the scope of her childhood dreams, to someone who understood the strength and unpredictability of horses. 

The experience both enlightened me and toughened me at once; it was a vital part of the person I am today.

I consider myself one of the luckiest people I know. I teach what I lovingly call “Horse Lessons” from my home in New Mexico, with my own little herd under the sky. I still teach that same community oil painting class at New Mexico Tech—some 14 years later. Even though I always feel like I could be doing more, I know I’ve passed on a passion for oil painting to many students. I try to teach them what my first teacher gave me: a lifelong friend in art.

These days, I’m happily partnered with a wonderful man, my kids are thriving—they ride horses, go to school, and live as happy, well-adjusted youth. I don’t regret any part of the path that brought me here.

Anyway, thanks for being here! Feel free to explore this space and check out some of my work, or if you have a specific vision you'd like for me to capture, I'm here for it!

Or, if you happen to be around New Mexico and would like a Horse Lesson... hit me up with an email to info@visionscapes.com and we'll connect in person!