About the “Break Free” Collection:

Five years ago, I was handcuffed to the mindset that I could not make my passion, creating art, a career. The choice between having a job that I knew would provide and having a job that I loved was holding me back. In January, I finally took a leap of faith and became a full-time artist. Since then, I've been planning and carving out time to work on a large collection that would be my first “real” collection release. I even knew I wanted to have a party to celebrate this milestone!

But what would I paint? With an infinite amount of inspiration coming from my home city, New Orleans, the decision was clear: I would paint what inspired me the most, the graceful creatures of the coast. The subjects that have fueled my business for 4 years and counting. A nod to the countless oysters, pelicans, and herons I have painted for collectors around the US.

This collection was a fun one to paint, using only knives and thick texture. I allowed myself to feel free and powerful with each swipe of the blade. Each painting felt like a celebration. It felt like I had the right to create with festive colors and strong poses. With each painting I made, it felt like one step away from my past mindset. Now that the collection is complete, I feel like I have broken free of the expected and can continue to do what I love!