values.

1. Make art with as little environmental impact as possible (because it's our responsibility to act as stewards of our planet)

Similar to fast fashion, America has a fast home-decor problem. When folks redecorate, artwork gets swapped out at a rate of 41%. And a lot of it either gets donated or goes in the trash so I buy 99% of my canvases from thrift stores, Facebook Marketplace, etc. Each one gets cleaned and repaired (if needed) before painting. 

I primarily use acrylic paint, which is like liquid plastic. To avoid sending it to landfills, or from getting microplastics into our waterways:

  • I save palette knife scrapings on paper to be repurposed later in things like business cards, thank-you notes, stickers, etc.
  • I do not wash my paint containers, rather I let them dry completely then peel the acrylic out in one piece to be reused later.
  • I do not dump paint water down the drain, rather I collect it, store it in a way so that the water evaporates, leaving behind acrylic sheets that can also be reused later.
  • I am working to create a plant-based alternative, the recipe of which I am planning to publish online, for free.

There are other things I do, too:

  • I save and reuse shipping materials, making most of my boxes myself using scrap cardboard.
  • I avoid single-use plastics as much as possible, opting for things like parchment paper or compostable materials instead.

2. Make art that is affordable (because we all deserve to own beautiful things, not just the rich)

Having previously worked in an art museum, I've seen first hand how rich, white, male-dominated, cis-gendered, and able-bodied the art world can be. And it's gross. 

I firmly believe that everyone should be able to afford original works of art made by a living artist, especially one who does not fit into one or more of the categories listed above. And this is important, now more than ever, because of the rise of AI.

  • I regularly offer art auctions of originals with bids starting as low as $5.
  • I offer prints for as low as $20, and will never have limited-runs; if requested, I will make a print of anything I've made for you.

3. Make art in a way that cultivates community & humanity (because corporate greed and AI are working to dismantle those things)

We're in this together, so I run my business that way, too.

  • When possible, I purchase supplies from locally-owned art supply stores or Blick, despite them often being more expensive, because I believe in shopping small, shopping local.
  • My art is on display in numerous small businesses in my hometown and should a piece sell, they get a cut.
  • I use reference images made by humans, ask for permission to use their work, credit them on my listings if they've agreed, and send them a thank-you note/gift should something sell.
  • I have donated art to fund-raising efforts for local mutual aid groups.

4. Make art that is radically joyful as an act of resistance (because a society immobilized by fear is an easily controllable one)

  • I never pull punches with color; it's bright and vivid to help spark joy and improve moods.
  • I often paint flowers because they remind me that there are naturally-occurring, innocent and beautiful things in the world.
  • I have made made protest art that I hope inspires people to keep going.