Why do I make art?

I’m a person who has made art my whole life. And I have made it for practically every reason I can imagine. For that dopamine hit that I got as a little one when grown-ups praised me. For the identity as the artist girl that made me feel special in middle school and high school. For my chosen field of study in undergraduate school that allowed me to pursue something that made me feel alive. For the career as a young 20 something in a big city as a graphic designer. For the second career as an art and play therapist that allowed me to reach young children and families who needed support in my beloved town of Oakland. For the rebuilding of myself after the devastation of the loss of my marriage, as I understood it then. And most recently for the shelter it provided during the death of my mother. Those are some major reasons. There are many more subtle ones.

These days, the reason I make art is for my pleasure. I’m not saying every moment is pleasurable. But overall, the experience I receive in my studio making art is one of pleasure. A lot of the pleasure comes from meeting the challenge of creating something from nothing. I also take pleasure in feeling my creative flow… in feeling the rush of it, the mindlessness of it, the deep relaxation of it, the shifting of time that occurs when I’m in that state. And I take pleasure in completing the circle by sharing it with friends, family, my community and collectors. It is my hope you experience pleasure viewing my art.

In my other work as a sex relationship coach, I encourage my clients to find pleasure in their lives. My motto is Prioritize Your Pleasure.