MS: What was your pivotal moment in life that made you take this direction?
AM: I remember the day, it’s funny looking back now because I didn’t think much of it at the time but it was a catalyst that drastically changed the direction of my work. My husband and I had just left the movies, we saw Rogue One and as I was leaving the theater I felt like I was having a heart attack. My hands started tingling and my face went numb. It was a wake up call that I needed to start taking my health seriously. So I started going to doctors and trying to figure out what was wrong. At that same time
MS: What made you want to be what you are now?
AM: Being an artist has never felt like a conscious choice, it’s always been a huge part of my life and how I express myself. It’s simply how I exist, fish don’t choose to swim, they just do.
I was just really starting to do more gallery work, I was also just starting my ocean paintings. I think I went to about 12 different doctor visits, no one listened to me… I didn’t get any solid answers and I gave up. Three and a half years later the same thing happened, by then the inflammation in my wrist was so bad I couldn’t physically keep up with making ocean paintings. I doubled down on doctors visits this time, for several months up until the beginning of the pandemic I’d have anywhere from four to six visits a week. It was incredibly depressing to feel like I was taking up so much of our time and resources with these visits that I started drawing to distract myself in the waiting room. I wanted to make it more challenging so I focused on creating drawings with one line. This gave me around 4 hours a week of practice.
MS: What are your favorite parts about what you do?
AM: My favorite part is being able to illustrate connections between people in a unique and beautiful way… and also being able to take my work anywhere with me.
MS: What are your short-term and/or long-term goals at the moment?
AM: My short term goal would be to work with some brands and companies so I can have a little more time for myself to create. Long term…living above a bakery and working with my husband. Maybe one day there will be an art opening in Europe.
MS:What is something(s) you wish you knew in the beginning?
AM:I wish I knew that it was ok that not everyone liked my work. I took rejections very personally. It didn’t stop me but it definitely hurt me.
MS: Who/what are your biggest inspirations and why?
AM: Jefferson Hayman Léanne Ansar Victoria Wong Oghalé Alex Books, Poetry and people watching
MS: What is your favorite quote(s) and why?
AM: I need to think more but I’d say for now… “The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper.” - Eden Philpotts
MS: What are some things that keep you going?
AM: My husband, my friends, my dog. Also being realistic with my expectations for myself and others. I try to do a self check in everyday and that helps me identify and articulate my feelings and stresses in an effective and manageable way.
MS: How do you approach a work life balance?
AM: Optimistically. Mark and I have our own check in every week that’s a series of questions centered around what we can do to help the other person. That’s been pivotal in helping me find my rhythm with life and work.
MS: What is something you wish people learned or knew more about in your industry?
AM: I wish more people knew about everything that goes into the artistic process. When you buy a piece of work from someone you’re not just buying a product. It’s a physical embodiment of years of work, hours of practice and so many other little things that were experienced that got the artist to this point.
MS: What is your ideal day in the work life?
AM: Waking up early, listening to a good movie score or podcast. Having coffee and planning my schedule for the day. Doing everything I don’t want to do first, so the rest of the day feels easier, then working on commissions… going on a picnic break for lunch. Ending with a brief sourcing excursion for vintage frames.
MS: What is your ideal non-work day?
AM: Coffee and thrifting in the morning. Then sitting outside by the river, reading and swimming. Then going to a cute little restaurant with an outdoor garden for dinner with Mark.
I wish more people knew about everything that goes into the artistic process. When you buy a piece of work from someone you’re not just buying a product. It’s a physical embodiment of years of work, hours of practice and so many other little things that were experienced that got the artist to this point.
