About
The making of an artist
One of my fondest childhood memories is of spending time in my dad’s art classroom. He was a middle school art teacher, and I loved to spend my after-school hours there. I thought every child had unlimited access to almost every art supply imaginable! I didn’t always make art in the art room. Sometimes it was just about hanging out there and being close to my dad. But I believe that’s where the artist seed was planted. I took some art classes in both high school and college, and dabbled in various art mediums off and on throughout the years. Fast forward one husband, six kids, and decades later, and an Instagram reel inspired me to try watercolors. With a cheap paint set and brushes from Michael’s, I tried it out and never looked back. When piles of paintings started accumulating, and with the encouragement of family and friends, I started to sell some of my work. My initials just happen to be A.R.T. and I live in and love Alaska, so ArtAlaska was born.
“If you hear a voice within you say, ‘You cannot paint,’ then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.” – Vincent Van Gogh
Inspiration
Most of my inspiration for painting comes from hiking here in Alaska. There is nothing like standing on a mountaintop, looking out over the mountains and valleys all around; wandering through dense forests, perhaps along a river or creek with a roaring waterfall as the destination; or being surrounded by mountains and gazing up at the majesty of snow-covered, towering peaks. The beauty is breath-taking, and I try to communicate that feeling into my paintings.
