My career in art began as a career in education. All of that changed in 2023, when I decided to step away from my position in public education. My priority at the time was to become a better version of myself for my family. We made some big life changes and had another baby last year. It has been a beautiful wonderful whirlwind! But the call on my soul to create is fierce. I have always desired to do more with my art. In November of 2024, I took a step toward my redirected career focus by becoming a Juried Artist Member of the Hamilton County Artists’ Association.
Artist in the Public
I am passionate about creating. I love exploring different mediums and challenging myself to master new skills and techniques. But I also find joy in inspiring others through the art I create. Commission work is some of my favorite work, but I have my own ideas and perspective to share as well. The greatest challenge I have found is finding my community of patrons that relate to my art and vision. My decision to join HCAA was multifaceted. First and foremost, I wanted to become more present in my community and more public as an artist.
My organizational artist membership has had a significant impact on my publicity as an artist!
Not only have I had an opportunity to connect with other artists, I have:
- Taught members of the community and members of the organization
- Attended professional development classes about growing an arts business
- Connected with local leaders in the arts
- Presented work in multiple exhibits and the annual Art Fair on the Square
- Appeared in publications, like this new member announcement, in our county
- Been interviewed, twice
And more, all in just my first year as a member!
Artist Highlights
Journeying through life and career, I have always felt on the outside looking in. People ask me questions about how I came to be where I am, how I have made decisions as an artist, and so on. To be honest, I feel more like a casual observer of the experience than the woman with the plan. My path has clearly been organized by God. However, this year I have found myself living through the highlights. I am able to recognize significant moments in the now that I know will be impactful in my journey as a whole.
Here are a few of my most significant moments:
- An interview with WISHTV: Leading up to the Art Fair on the Square, I was asked to represent myself as an artist, alongside an organizational leader, in a segment about the fair. This was so exciting, but also a felt like a great challenge. I tend to struggle when it comes to processing spoken language. (Words are not my forte!) I came as prepared as one can be without knowing the questions, and was surprised to discover that the team was really interested in my career as an art teacher.
- My First Gallery Sale: I have sold numerous works of art since I was a university student working on my bachelor’s degree. Each sale is significant, as it drives me with the understanding that my art has purpose and value. However, that first gallery sale felt as if it gave my work legitimacy. I had exhibited in gallery spaces before, but never made a sale within them. This was a turning point in my decision to better my spaces and setups for continued artistic growth and art production.
- Another interview, live and in person: To say that interviews are new for me would be inaccurate. In fact I have been interviewed on several occasions about my way of and passion for teaching, grant-writing experiences, and other education oriented topics. These interviews as an artist were different. First, they gave me a sense of solidity as an artist. Second, they emphasized how important teaching actually is in my life and career. My second interview, with the Fishers Arts Council, again targeted my teaching career, highlighting that I will never be able to remove myself entirely from the classroom. You can see a portion of that interview on my Instagram.
Artist as Educator
As I drive forward with my continuing career as an artist, I am consistently reminded how much I truly love teaching. The Lord guided my path when I left public school, finding me a new school home where I could teach part time. He has laid out one opportunity after another as I connect with the community and build my “family”. Because, let’s face it, our students feel like family too. So while I am blessed with more time to create, and especially more time with my family, I have loved every moment of teaching in this new and crazy adventure.
Here are a few things I have taught and will be teaching from HCAA’s Birdie Gallery this year:
- Watercolor Techniques: This is a 6-week spring course in watercolor basics. Check back in the new year for updates on the 2026 course schedule.
- Collage Courses: I will be teaching a Collage Boot Camp in August and a Collaged Animal Portraits class in the fall. These classes are for adults and are currently open for registration.
- Kids Classes: I helped teach a couple of sessions in HCAA’s summer camp programs and plan to do so again next year. We had a blast! I also taught a weekly Little Open Studio, geared toward toddlers and preschoolers. This program just wrapped up for summer, but fall and winter sessions will be open for registration soon!
- Homeschool Studio: This is a new program I will be teaching this school year! I have a passion for serving all students, any age, ability, or circumstance. Homeschool families are not excluded! The HS Studio program includes monthly art classes, with optional at-home curriculum available for purchase. Registration is open, with classes beginning in September. Families can register for one session or the full school year. I am so looking forward to the start of this new program!
And so on…
These are just a few of the wonderful moments I have experienced in my first year of artist membership with the Hamilton County Artists’ Association. There are many other ways the organization has already impacted me, propelling me forward in my artistic journey. Follow along on Facebook and Instagram for regular updates on my daily artistry and experiences.
Be inspired,
