My process starts with overall sketches. Then I write down a variety of ideas in my journals and sketchbooks. Next, I make a plan of what media to use, what the sizes should be, how to adhere everything to the surface, and what order things will happen. Step by step, I strive to create pieces that convey hope, love, and inspiration, especially during these difficult times.

Hanging in my daughter's room is a quilt made by my great-grandmother, Ma Nona, who survived WW2 and the Great Depression. Inspired by her sewing skills and my memories of her, I created this mixed-media composition using photos I took of the New York City skyline just two weeks before 9/11, another unbelievable and challenging moment in US history. The shapes and composition are reminiscent of Ma Nona’s quilt, accented by postcards she sent and a face mask to symbolize the current times.