The Beauty Of Failing

Mock-Up Of My Wooden Print Series for the Redmond Airport

I have experienced a lot of rejection over the years, from galleries, shows, scholarships and more. Earlier this year, I got an email in my inbox stating that the Redmond Airport was looking for art in their new expansion. I was excited about the opportunity and also knew it was a risk. But I decided to go ALL IN. I spent a lot of time on this project. The design concept took about 7 hours, the in-person meeting ate up about 2 hours, and the application took about 25 hours all in. So we're talking about a 34-hour project to put your presentation into the hands of a jury who may just decide you're not the right fit because you hadn't done a prior civic public installation.

What many people who love my art don't know is that art installations aren't necessarily chosen on the "best fit" or most creative idea. Often it's decided based on whether someone has prior experience doing public civic installations. Lucky or unlucky for me, I have never been chosen for one. Have I done public art installations? Yes, my golly, I have done it ALL. I've been hanging art in large installs for a decade, adding my art to murals in apartment buildings, hanging art in over 50 venues around Central Oregon, Seattle and Palm Springs. But is that enough for a jury? No. A jury is often looking for someone with prior experience specifically in an airport, a government-affiliated building, or a nonprofit.

I consider this gatekeeping even if it's written in fancy terms. And I'm keenly aware of it, because I have intentionally built an art business that shatters that perspective. You don't need to live by the old rules of the art world to be a successful artist. I am rogue when it comes to putting my art out there. I've popped up in unexpected places. I've had the best and worst shows of my life. And honestly? That's exactly what I want to talk about. The art of failure. Recognizing that failure is a gentle redirect, and thanking it for showing up. I do this every time. I take the worst days of my business and make them the best days. I begin again. I open the next door, because I know if that last door didn't open, something else will.

So without further ado. I will be introducing a new series of wood panel artworks that were part of my vision for this airport project, because I don't just make art to be judged; I make art because I had an inkling that it needed to go out into the universe. I get downloads of things I need to make, and this is something I know in my gut I want to create. Be on the lookout for a new wood panel series coming this early summer, titled "Portals To Wild."

Mt. Bachelor Design For Redmond Airport

Why collectors are turning back toward color in a monochrome era

Around 2011–2012, a subtle but powerful shift began to ripple through the design world. Our iPhones moved from desks and kitchen counters into our back pockets. Technology was no longer something we visited; it traveled with us everywhere.

As tech integrated into our daily lives, its aesthetic language began influencing our homes. Sleek interfaces, monochrome palettes, glass, chrome, black, white, gray — minimalism became synonymous with intelligence, modernity, and luxury.

But it raises an honest question:

Are we actually happier inside these spaces?

Does black-and-white minimalism spark creativity, warmth, or joy — or does it simply look sophisticated on a screen?

For years, we’ve looked to celebrities and influencers to teach us how to make our homes enviable. But the home was never meant to impress others first. It was meant to be a refuge — a place to rest, reset, and fully exhale into who you are.

Now, I’m not advocating for full maximalism. I’m not suggesting every wall needs to shout. But I do believe that intentional moments of color — a hallway, an accent wall, a piece that holds meaning — can radically shift how a home feels.

Somewhere along the way, many of our spaces lost a layer of soul.

Is it coincidence that as our homes began mimicking the tech world, our sense of joy inside them didn’t rise alongside it?

Color, when done thoughtfully, holds luxury. Not loud color, but layered, emotionally intelligent color. The kind that grounds you, re-centers you, and adds richness to daily life.

Meaningful touches of color can influence how we move through a space. They invite play, spontaneity, reflection. They add dopamine, yes — but also memory, warmth, and emotional texture.

My truth — both as an artist and as a human is that art and color can change how we live.

They shape how we interact with our homes.They shift our mood without us realizing it.

They remind us that luxury isn’t only restraint — it can also be alive. I've seen this with my own eyes. The homes that I have hung my pieces in have truly shifted to places you want to spend time with.

Blog Post:

Why collectors are turning back toward color in a monochrome era

Is art a good investment?

Have you noticed how everything from mattresses to sneakers is now marketed as an “investment”? I get it — the word’s become a little watered down.

But when it comes to art, I actually do believe that it’s an investment — not just financially, but emotionally and communally. Here’s why.

1. HOW ART CHANGES HOW YOU FEEL AT HOME

   When you purchase an artwork- whether it's prints or an original painting you are investing in getting something that speaks to you on the wall. When you purchase artwork that speaks to you, and lifts up the room you will see a noticeable difference in not only how the room looks, but also how you FEEL in the room. Art is an invitation to slow down, enjoy something analog and relax in your space. It's not another screen, it's a reset button.

   
   

2. INVESTING IN YOUR LOCAL COMMUNITY

   Lets be honest- local art is more expensive than Hobby Lobby and Target- but it holds something more tangible and meaningful. The art you buy from an artist is woven into the community and keeps your dollars in the hands of real people. In a world when money and resources seem to be going to (ahem Bezos) shopping local is even MORE IMPORTANT. You are investing in the local economy, that local artist and your community. That is worth a lot in my opinion.

3. WHY ORIGINALS HOLD VALUE

   Original art is the best fiscal investment. If you're debating between a print or an original- You might think, ‘We can just get the print,’ but here’s what’s missing. The fact that an original is hand painted, you can see the textures, mess and layers. It adds value to your home. Originals also increase in value over time, and are a legacy item.

   
   

   If you invest in an artist who is making art consistently, there is a chance their portfolio will be worth more as they age. For instance my first originals were being sold for $200 back in 2016, and now I'm selling the same size painting for $4,000. That is a BIG difference.

   
   

   Original art holds value, and will be worth more especially after decades. That doesn't mean you should just speculate and make this your entire investment portfolio, that means buy art you LOVE and enjoy that it will also increase in value as you keep it.

Many collectors see art as part of a diversified wealth portfolio:

• It’s a hedge against inflation since art prices often rise as currency weakens.

• It offers non-correlated returns — art markets don’t always follow the stock market.

4. MY HONEST TAKE

   The best art “investments” are pieces that you love. If your financial situation only allows you to get prints- it doesn't mean you're making a mistake. Start there, because it's better to have art that makes your home feel good, rather than empty walls.

   
   

   If you buy from a living artist whose work and story resonate with you — and that artist continues to build reputation through shows, press, and collector support — your piece (especially original paintings) can gain both sentimental and financial worth over time.

   
   

   So, is art a good investment? In the end, the best investment is art that makes you feel something. That’s where its true value lives.