One of my earliest memories of art is sitting on my mother’s lap while she read to me about Rembrandt van Rijn from the World Book Encyclopedia. I must have been just four years old. For reasons I couldn’t possibly explain at the time, I was captivated by the Dutch master. Looking back, I think the seeds of a creative life were planted right then and there.

I’ve never followed a straight path—no formal art school, no tidy career track. My education has been wildly eclectic, shaped by deep curiosity and a tangle of passions: art-making, anthropology, medicine, wilderness travels, and mindfulness. I’ve always been willing to try new things, take risks, and follow sparks of inspiration. I’ve started businesses from scraps of ideas, balanced the demands of independence and family, and found freedom in carving out a life that feels true. Through it all, creativity has been the throughline—sometimes bold, sometimes quiet, always guiding me forward.

That early spark stayed with me. I bought my first camera with a high school art scholarship and found myself at a crossroads: art school, or a life of travel and adventure? I chose the latter—without regret—and brought my camera along for the ride. For over fifteen years, I lived a rich, nomadic life as an outdoor educator and wilderness expedition leader, exploring remote corners of the U.S. and beyond. Along the way, I earned a B.A. in Cultural Anthropology from Hamline University in St. Paul, Minnesota—a natural extension of my deep interest in people, culture, and how we make meaning in the world.

In 2016, I founded Creative Nature™ Coaching, a practice rooted in the belief that our creative nature is unique, vital, and worthy of tending. Soon after, I became a certified teacher in mindfulness and meditation, blending those practices into both my coaching and creative life. These tools help me—and those I support—navigate the challenges and gifts of the creative path with more clarity and compassion.