“Life is long”, said my punk rock hairdresser when I told her my plans to rent a studio space with some friends and become an artist. At the ripe old age of 33. With really no previous experience or creative inclination. Or at least none that I had the time or energy to cultivate. And after at least 20 years of telling myself that I am not a creative person. Practical, yes. Determined, yes. Hard working, yes. Creative… hell, no!

But she is right, you know - life IS long. Long enough to try new things, to risk imperfection, to take yourself seriously, and even do something crazy once in awhile – with no idea of where it will take you. After all, what else is life for?

So – here I am. Making “outsider art”, with some good friends and political comrades. Outsider art, as in self-taught. As in, never taken an art class. As in, don’t know really the first thing about the mainstream art world. And so what? I’m doing this for myself. Trying to transfer the contents of my head and my vision of the world onto canvas. Taking a leap of faith and exploring possibilities that I never imagined in my wildest dreams. And it feels FANTASTIC.

I am inspired by people, political activism, big ideas, and the beautiful earth on which we live. I am passionate about freedom and justice, peace and solidarity. I stand in awe of ordinary people who are determined to build a better world. I believe that we are all creative beings, with an innate potential to be artists. I find myself moved every day by the beauty, joy – and injustice – of life.