About Rebecca
I believe we are all born with innate creativity, but it can either be nurtured or squashed by the people around us.
Like many, I experienced early art trauma. In Kindergarten, while painting what I thought was a gorgeous sunset, I used my fingers to combine vibrant colors.
But then, my teacher came over and crumpled up my paper and threw it away, yelling at me for making a mess. After a few more critical teachers, I finally gave up and didn’t paint or draw again for over 50 years.
My creativity came out in other ways, like dancing, singing, and playing guitar. Although I was an auditory learner, at 25, I started to lose my hearing and eventually needed cochlear implants. Suddenly, I had to learn how to use my eyes again to understand what was happening around me.
Planting the Seed
Before setting off on this art adventure, I was a mental health therapist, and spent my days guiding others through their anxiety to empowerment and self-confidence. I often used art in my practice to help others in the healing process.
But I was also working through my own anxiety around art at the same time.
A New Bloom
A few years ago, I decided to embark on a journey to heal from early criticism about my art. I started to attend art retreats and took countless online classes from my favorite artists. Gradually, I became more confident and developed my own personal style.
Even though I still feel anxious when staring at a blank canvas (who doesn’t?), I have come to value the creative process because it helps me grow and appreciate life in a way I never did before.
I am living proof that it is never too late to bloom as an artist!
My Inspiration
My artwork is inspired by my love of nature. Having grown up in Northern California near the ocean and redwoods, I spent most days exploring – collecting pollywogs in creeks, picking wildflowers, and riding my bike through the countryside. There’s nothing more beautiful to me than the flora and fauna that surround us.
I still explore, going for hikes and hanging out in my garden to watch birds, squirrels and the occasional rabbit.
My husband and I have lived all over the US and overseas, but now we’re settled outside of Philly with our Golden Doodle and little black cat.
When I'm not painting or playing with my grandkids, I’m usually quilting, weaving, or taking a walk looking for inspiration and a great flower photo.