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.

09.01.21

I think the best advice I can give is don’t give up. In the beginning it might be only you who believes in yourself, but as you push and practice it’ll get easier. Progress might feel minuscule but if you just keep pushing toward your goal, day by day, one day you’re going to look up and see how far you came.