I have been working as a professional artist since I was a very young girl. First starting out as a painter at age 7, my first passion was nurtured and learned from Gisjbert Van Frankenhuyzen of Bath (Painter and Sleeping Bear Illustrator). From then on, I have committed a great amount of time and effort towards advancing my future as an artist, and I have taken as many opportunities to strengthen my portfolio as possible. Places such as Kendall College of Art and Design, Cranbrook Art Institute, Blue Lake Fine Arts Camp, Michigan State University, and Ox-Bow Summer School of Arts.

Opportunity

My art has shown in a number of exhibitions throughout the state, including when it was premiered by the Clinton County Arts Council Winter 2006. And with that I have found myself blessed by the opportunities that have accompanied all my shows: an opportunity to meet fellow artists and the recognition both regionally (Art Scholarship Alert Portfolio Award, Michigan Youth Arts Top 18 Western Michigan University, Michigan State University Alumni Portfolio Award, Michigan Art Education Association Award, Sara Venable Art Scholarship Award) and nationally (Cleveland Institute of Art Portfolio Scholarship, Rhode Island School of Design Scholarship, College for Creative Studies Scholarship, Maryland Institute College of Art Scholarship, (Two) Scholastic Art Gold Key Award(s)), and also the great opportunity to sell my work and develop commissioned work. I recently have been working for a building enterpriser of Lansing who found me through the newspaper just last winter, and right now I am doing a series of architectural drawings and illustrations for him by this fall. In addition, I have also done a number of paintings and drawings for people and their small businesses or family homes.

The Future Ahead

Thus, for over the last 10 years I have dedicated my life to this small career aside from my schoolwork and activities of the past. Now, as a current graduate right out of high school, I am fully prepared and ready to dedicate 100% of my effort into my art as I am enrolled to attend Maryland Institute College of Art this fall (Baltimore, MD). Right now, I am planning on graduating with a Bachelor of Fine Arts Degree with a major in Illustration, and from there I may look into a concentration in Environmental Design (perhaps Industrial [product] design).

Life Experiences