We asked artists to share one notable person, place and object that has inspired them, here's what they had to say

I'm inspired by flowers, so my garden is a great source of inspiration to me. Big public gardens like Atlanta Botanical Garden is also great - but I can be inspired by roadside weeds just as easily.

I'm particularly fond of the work of Mary Abbott.

My studio loft in Downtown Woodstock was directly across the street from the old Woodstock train depot. A beautifully designed building with a red-tiled roof, its colors and lines inspired me to create a painting series in the style of four famous artists; I painted the Depot in the styles of Monet, Van Gogh, Hopper and Wyeth, creating a multi-dimensional look at this lovely structure. My clients loved seeing the different interpretations of the Depot, and enjoyed choosing a print of their favorite.

The bucket list of Georgia natural wonders which has inspired my current painting series includes Providence Canyon, known as "Georgia's Llittle Grand Canyon," the Altamaha River, Georgia's own untamed "Amazon," and Amicalola Falls, the highest waterfall east of the Mississippi. This project excites me because many Georgians are unaware of the spectacular natural wonders that exist right in our very own state!

People who have inspired my art have been primarily artist throughout history! The work of Dutch artists Rembrandt, Ver Meer and Van Gogh, Japanese artist Hokusai, and American artists Edward Hopper and Andrew Wyeth have been enduring sources of inspirations and study. My current series has led me to the beautiful travel paintings of Edward Lear, which he executed in watercolor and pen and ink. Theses little known works are harbored largely in collections found at Harvard and Princeton.

I love trees. They are so symbolic to me. I love looking at trees and drawing and painting them-- not in a realistic way, but trying to represent how they seem to me.

My back porch in East Atlanta is where I do most of my painting and that setting inspires me a lot-- I'm a mile from the bustling interstate, but nestled in among old growth trees. Atlanta is known for being the city in a forest. I love that duality. Much of my work explores the ideas of living two opposing things at once: grief and joy, aspiration and exhaustion, hope and fear. I always say that my part of Atlanta (East Atlanta Village) is like all the best parts of living in a big city plus all the benefits of living in a small town.

My dad died around the time that I first started painting. After he died, my art has been a desperate attempt to reflect, to set in stone, to make it known what a good, good man he was. My mom and dad taught me to find beauty everywhere and made me believe I have an ability to interpret and share that beauty in a way that matters.

An object that will always inspire me no matter what is a blank, stretched canvas. I can’t help but think of all the possibilities and ways I can express myself. And knowing my color palette is endless intensifies that drive to create something from nothing.

Downtown and Midtown Atlanta are areas that have always inspired me from a child to now. There’s so much art all over my city. You can find murals in every tunnel, on almost every building, even inside establishments where you buy food and inside schools. There are works of art everywhere you go, it almost feels inescapable sometimes. It’s also refreshing to know there are so many artists that live around me. Being an artist can get lonely at times, but one stroll through this artsy city really helps with that. It’s almost like your anxiety to create and “ artist block “ disappears after seeing so many different people express themselves in so many different ways.

There’s an artist from LA named Kidané. He’s a very talented artist that has showcased a lot of his work online and had the pleasure of doing pieces for many A-list celebrities as a result. Though he and I have different styles, he’s definitely inspired me to be more detailed with my portrait pieces.

Having lived in Israel for many years, I feel a strong international influence on my pieces. My “Ladies” appear to have stepped out of the local marketplace, be it in Morocco, Italy or Greece. I use textures and objects collected from all over the world including Indian textile stamps, Middle-Eastern trinkets and Chinese jade to enhance the story that each piece tells. Just as our lives are textured by time and experience, layered through joy, love, loss, and surprise and colored by world events and personal experience, so too are my "Ladies" - textured, layered and colored.

My father, Henry Birnbrey, is part of every piece I create. He would see an object such as a painting or a piece of furniture or a photograph and say "I can do that" and he did. As a child he gave me the courage to try my hand at everything. He taught me to be fearless and to trust my creative self.

It’s not an object but the human body, particularly the female form, is a great source of inspiration for me.

Cherrylion Studios in Atlanta. It is a commercial studio where I started taking classes in 2015 and continue to do so today. It is incredibly inspiring to be in the middle of a working commercial studio and also be surrounded by other artists creating.

I am most inspired by my family. They continue to push me, support me, and celebrate me every step of the way.

I love costumes of all kinds. I believe that imagination and creativity are among the first steps to becoming a better version of yourself. If you can imagine it and dream it then it makes it much more likely that you will achieve it.

Each year I travel to Paris in January for formal training in classical painting techniques. I find much inspiration on this yearly journey as well as through other travels throughout the year.

The most notable person that has inspired my work is definitely John Singer Sargent. I saw his work in an art museum and it resonated with me. His ability to capture both elegance and energy captivated my mind and still do to this day.

That would have to be the book I found in my grandparents attic. It was printed in the turn of the century and full of large, crisp photographs from around the world. It was in this book that I saw the ruined abbeys and monasteries for the first time. They captured my imagination and sent me on a journey that took me far away from drawing motorcycles and tanks!

My mind. My subconcious. The dream state. Besides that it would be the many museums and art galleries I've visited during my travels. Probable favorite would be Leighton House in Holland Park.

I'd have to say Clyfford Still, who has an extraordinary museum dedicated to his work in Denver. He was just an incredibly focused artist, he meticulously cataloged his entire life's work, he didn't give a damn what people thought, nor did he care to explain or even give his paintings names. A true defender of the artistic mind.

This is an odd answer, because I don’t work with ceramics, but, ceramics! They’re so diverse and colorful and textural and I always feel my inner creativity burn whenever I look at those pieces.

My homes in Maryland, which range from bucolic horse pastures to urban Baltimore murals.

My dad, probably, who has not only praised my work but encouraged me to push my boundaries when it comes to my work’s variety, and to not confine myself to one artistic style.

Is it clique to say that the materials themselves are my most notable objects? I discovered making (with real intent and strategy) in High School. Creating images was a way to process my world. It soothed and calmed me like nothing else. Through making with tactical materials - I've strengthened myself, my spirituality and my practice.

The Children's Art Centre in Boston's South End has a special grip on my life and artwork. In 1920 it opened its doors and in 2019, I was the last art teacher in the space before it ended art programming. After saying goodbye, I self-published a children's book about the story called The Little Glass Treasure House. It tells the story of Charlotte Dempsey, a woman who taught in the space for 40 years. Since then, I have connected with her extended family and the story continues as we sift through her personal untold biography!

My husband, Hohyung, has absolutely been the most notable person. He helped me to pivot from making with a scarcity mindset to making with joy and abundance. For me, I've learned that the only way to allow the work to breathe and be as it should be is to not demand sales from it. Instead, I've sought other work to compliment my artist lifestyle and it's been such a relief and transformation for my practice. Hohyung's steadfast encouragement and love has created a safe space for me to take risks I haven't taken before. He has taught me to learn that failure and discovery and trying new things are all worth it. Nothing is wasted. That has been huge for me.

Any object is inspiring when viewed in an abstract context.

Baltimore City, Maryland

David Lynch

I have a copy of Mattias Adolfsson book, “ All in Line” which is my most inspiring object. It is a wonderful collection of his drawings from his journals. It is full of beauty and I draw from it often in my work.

It’s always hard to pinpoint exact inspiration and they are often changing. If pressed I’d say my dog Minnow is the most inspirational person I know. Also artist like Richard Scarry I’ve found very inspiring. I was born and raised in Baltimore, MD and it is a constant inspiration for my work. I have a copy of Mattias Adolfsson book, “ All in Line” which is my most inspiring object.

Growing up learning from Richard Scarry books has been a life long inspiration. His characters are masterfully full of life and his settings are a wonder to look at in his books.

I love wood with its textures and patterns so I collect wood puzzles and board games. My latest work, Topography, was produced from Lennox 100, off white, 250 gsm (about 140 lb) neutral pH, acid free paper printed with a 5 foot x 18 inches piece of Luan wood carved out with a Dremel tool. I didn't take away from the natural design but kept the beautiful flow of lines.

Jazz would scoop me up at night and put me to bed. My Daddy had an extensive collection of jazz he was always listening to and I enjoyed hearing as I went to sleep at night. I have fond memories of my Daddy and Mother dancing to jazz; my Mother singing along with Nancy Wilson; and Daddy talking to his best friend as they listened to jazz.

Dance is passionate, physical movement and Misty Copeland embodies that to me. Misty and other dancers are continued inspiration for an ongoing series of artwork being created as monotypes with black printmaking ink.

Birds nests are a constant object I keep returning to, bees, birds, flowers, horses, fox

Living in horse country in scenic Baltimore, Maryland countryside is a daily inspiration to me. Outside my studio thoroughbred horses graze on all sides on my neighbors farms. Being an avid gardener the beauty of wild flowers , the hay fields, foxes, birds that are seen from my property are a constant creative natural resource for my art. I monitor Bluebird nest boxes on our property and witnessing the building of the nests , laying of the eggs and the final flights of the fledglings never gets old!

Perhaps Monet as he was a gardener and spent many hours in it and his pond, creating it, nourishing, tending to it. Visiting Giverny a few years ago was a unforgettable experience. Monet's abstract impressionistic style working with the light and reflections truly is how I feel in my gardens, my small pond and land. I am connected to God the Creator and I feel His peace when in them.

I have always been fascinated by trees. Though a Californian by birth, I find myself very at home in the woodlands of Pennsylvania, and trees of all types are often the focus of my landscapes. In addition to beauty, they provide shade, oxygen, sustenance, habitats for wildlife, support for local ecosystems, and a reminder of all we stand to lose if we cannot chart a different ecological course.

I am fortunate to live only steps away from the lush wilderness of Wissahickon Park in Philadelphia, where I spend hours hiking its quiet trails and contemplating its changes throughout the seasons. As a lover of photography, I have also taken many photos of the park, many of which later serve as reference material for my paintings. However, my work is also informed by my memories and experiences, and I prefer emotional expression over a faithful rendering.

The person who has most inspired and influenced my artistic journey to date is master pastelist Marla Baggetta. Her modern approach to the landscape and bold use of color have greatly inspired my work, and her teachings have led me to value experimentation and to nurture my own style while focusing on the fundamentals. She has also provided crucial guidance and encouragement, and I am grateful for the opportunity to have studied with her.

I am inspired by the work of Alexander Calder. His mobiles are playful and bright and I love their movement and balance. I adore his use of irregular shapes, and his charming jewelry and sculptures.

The most notable place that has inspired my work is anything and everything I can see from an airplane window. I love to see the miniaturized landscapes, shapes, and colors that are visible from so high in the air. The best thing I've seen from an airplane are the salt ponds in San Francisco bay-- they are enormous irregularly shaped ponds of unbelievable color! They are amazing to see from the sky.

I am inspired by the work of Sonia Delaunay. I adore her use of shape and color, and love how her work translates so wonderfully into fashion, illustration, and textiles. Her work is bold, colorful, and so expressive-- I love it!

I don't know if it is an object but the circle as either a geometric shape, a sun, or a moon has been what my work has mostly revolved around the past two years or so.

I am really drawn to the landscape, mountain ranges, horizon lines, etc... The ocean and any open space is always inspirational. More specifically memories of trips to the Southwest, Arizona and New Mexico have been big inspirations for my current work.

I've had so many professors that have helped me along in different ways, this is what inspired me to pursue education. Michael Moore, a retired professor at PAFA taught me so much about the philosophy and spirit behind the creation of art. Kate Moran, a graduate critic of mine was always brutally honest and sincere about my work and always pushed me to be "more specific", a phrase that still sticks in my head today. Two undergraduate professors Jaime Treadwell and Kate Stewart were extremely supportive in my development and have been very supportive in my teaching career as well. Jon Redmond, an incredible observational painter taught me so much about direct painting and painting from life. Last but not least, Brian Magargal, my high school art teacher pushed me to see talent I did not know I had at the time and helped me believe in myself as an artist. So many people! I'm sure I am leaving someone out, I feel very fortunate for all the help I have had along the way.

The most notable object that has inspired my work is my bedroom window in Toronto. I was living there when the COVID-19 pandemic began, and this window was my portal to the rest of the world. It was beautiful, gigantic, and west-facing, and it features in most of my paintings during that time. The play of the evening light coming in, the view from it, and the window itself are all subjects. It had an incredible view of the sunset. Because of Lake Ontario, clouds move quickly and impressively through the city. I spent many hours watching the skies out of this window.

The most notable place that inspires my work is my apartment. I'm focused on how I feel when I am there and translating that onto canvas. The COVID-19 lockdowns created this focus out of necessity, but now I am obsessed with my environment and the intimacy of painting my own home. This focus has allowed me to appreciate where I'm at and brings calm and gratitude to my daily life.

Martha Eleen is an artist and teacher living in Toronto, Ontario. I took several of her classes during the COVID-19 lockdowns. She is a phenomenal artist who helped me understand so much about the human figure, autobiographical painting, and the history of women artists. Her influence led me to my explorations of mirrors, reflections, and shadow.

The colors and form of the flower has always been one of my biggest inspirations

One of my biggest influences recently are the lush gardens in my Philadelphia neighborhood .The colors and patterns of flowers influence and inspire my work. Also spending the winters in the Florida Keys I have been able to paint that tropical flora and fauna as it meets the sea. In the past several years the most notable person that has influenced my fluid floral paintings through her wonderful technique filled workshops is the American artist Wyanne Thompson .

Wyanne Thompson

I was always scared of ruining sketchbooks early on in my artistic career, thus, I rarely ever used one in my practice. Now my sketchbook provides an amazing place for growth and experimentation. It teaches me to not take my work so seriously. This is a lesson that has impacted not only my work, but my life. Now I am able to bring my sketchbook in public with me while traveling or just waiting - something I could have never imagined I'd do before. This practice adds another layer of enjoyment and curiosity within my every day. A lot of the work I make now exists in my sketchbook and no where else. I'm constantly thinking about the blank pages left and what I can do with them, making my sketchbook a never ending source of inspiration.

When living in Prague, I stopped making work a while and have never felt more disconnected from my creative self. Moving home happened quickly - my life changed drastically in a matter of 10 days. The whirlwind that sent me home ultimately sent me down the path of rediscovering the creative part of my being. Navigating the space of my heart still being in Prague, but my body in a very familiar home became a puzzle that I chose to figure out visually. So, really, I think that place of "in-between" was the most influential space in my creative journey. I had the familiarity of home to allow me to feel comfortable to create, but the emotion and experience from a life I left behind in Europe to draw on when learning how to make for myself again.

While many people influenced my art making, my father probably had the largest impact. There were plenty of times during my life where I strayed away from making. He was always there to gently nudge me back towards that avenue by reminding me of the things I used to do so naturally as a child. "Do you remember sketching paintings at the art museum?" "Have you been drawing lately? You seemed stressed. That always seemed to help." "I see you living in a bright studio in a city with all of your painting supplies in a mess in the corner." He knew (and still knows) that a creative path is the one that best suits my journey. Both of my parents, truly, have walked arm in arm with me even when the route is dark and the map is lost. Both my mother and father have always been there to emphatically support and gently critique, for which I'm so thankful.

Do mountains count as objects? The North Cascades mountain range is basically our backyard and my husband and I spend as much time as we can hiking, backpacking, and camping in that wilderness. While I don’t paint direct representations of specific places, the North Cascades undoubtedly inspires much of my recent work.

The Pacific Northwest. Traveling through the Northwest spurred me to begin painting seriously for the first time in years. From my little PNW studio, I can find endless inspiration in from waters of the Puget Sound, to the tall pines and cedars, to the agricultural valleys, to the rugged Olympic and North Cascade mountain ranges and everything in between.

Georgia O’Keeffe was the first artist I became full on obsessed with in my freshman year of college. Her way of depicting the landscape, her love of being immersed in the outdoors, her strength and determination.. All of it continues to inspire the way I approach my work and my life.

The rocks and waves of the Pacific Coast

Where I live, there are so many choices to chose from. All along the California coast from San Diego to Fort Bragg. The inland areas of North San Diego and the hillsides above Santa Barbara are so inspiring it’s almost overwhelming to choose. I am so blessed to be able to be outside in the open air doing what I love.

Richard Schmid, Nicolai Fetchin, John Singer Sargent, and Fran’s Bischoff

I draw a lot of inspiration from my hometown of San Diego, CA.

My art over the past 10 years is focused on birds, they are not objects, but they are my muse.

I grew up in Colorado and was always inspired by trips to the "Gardens of the Gods." Now that I live and work in San Diego, CA, I am continually inspired by both the desert and the ocean.

It is hard for me to point to any one person that had inspired my work, as a student of art history I have many that inspire me.

Not sure if it is an object, but the desert. The desert is forbidding but clean and welcoming. The things that exist in the desert don’t complain. Circles inspire me and the sky.

The farming regions of California are inspiring. The production, politics, cultures and sometimes harsh environment expose the beauty of resilience. High mountains surround and separate most of these places that should not be growing people or produce.

Richard Nixon had a love for the people and the beauty of the state. Not a big fan but he was a human and persevered. Mostly inspired by people, the aforementioned grandmother and a friend/artist that I haven’t talked to in over 20 years, Paul Valadez.

I will say ocean. I grew up in a seaside city in the northeast coast of China and now I live in San Diego, a beautiful seaside city in South California. I love watching waves, and I love drawing them in lines. As you might see in a lot of my artwork, I use a lot of black ink lines to illustrate waves. I enjoy doing that. Sometimes I like to transfer the lines to something else, such as sounds, winds, and connections between two different things.

New York City is the place that has inspired me a lot. I went to NYC for my second Master Degree and lived there for four and half years. There are so many museums and galleries that show us the best arts. The fashion week brings the most trendy style to the city. There are so many stories happening every street, every corner, everywhere around me. I love observing and learning about this city's multi-cultures, the history, the new things, the buildings... Even though I moved out from NYC, but the experience is always there, inspires me and polishes my art style.

It is really difficult to choose one person who has inspired my work, because I admire different styles of artists in different art ages. When I was in college, my favorite artist is Gustav Klimt. While when I was in graduate school, I love Jean-Michel Basquiat. And now, I love Native American and African folk arts from anonymous artists.

I love being inspired by nature and all its bold colors that make us all feel a certain way.

Ever since I could remember I would entertain myself by drawing illustrations that came out of my imagination. As a child I was in love with art, bold colors and handmade details. I grew up in Lima, Peru, a country known for its rich culture and colorful handmade craftsmanship. I was always inspired and around the fashion industry, as my mother was, and still is a successful baby clothing designer. Growing up in Peru, traveling to many different countries, going to school in California, working as a fashion and illustration designer, has all profoundly influenced the way I see the world and as a result, shaped the art I create.

My Mom, plays a huge roll in inspiring me to not only be a good artist but I good business woman. Artists that have inspired me throughout my life: Many artisans in Peru, Frida Khalo, Picasso, Matisse, Van Gogh

I am not sure if this could be classified as an object - but leaves and the variety of shapes, sizes, and colors you can find them in.

Growing up in a a dry Mediterranean and Desert environment of Southern California, I have always been attracted to greener more lush places and spaces- such as parks, gardens, and forests. I find inspiration in the colors, texture, and movement in these environments from fresh blooms to the trees. Nature is a source I return to again and again.

On a personal level, my grandmother, Carmela, has been the most the influential person for me. From her I learned about the beauty of small things, and the importance of timeless design.

I have always had a fascination towards winding stairways. I started randomly including it during my final years of undergrad and decided to explore it further when I got to Baltimore for Art School. Something about the unpredictable and infinite nature of stairways is very appealing to me and I constantly think and dream about it and sometimes include it in my work subtly.

I can definitely say that my entry into the wild world of Abstraction began during my year in Baltimore at the Maryland Institute College of the Art. My creativity was let loose and uninhabited in ways I could have never imagined. A class that really opened my eyes to shifting my perspective on the primary medium I was using, paint, was one called Collage and Assemblage. The simple notion of ripping apart pieces of paper and other random elements and sticking it onto a surface gave me fresh ideas for color combinations, relationships of different forms, and opened up my style to something entirely new. I started painting in a way I had never before, it was more twisted and free....just more abstract than ever.

Wassily Kandinsky played a huge role in my work. My style is not similar to his, but just the way he portrays dancing shapes and builds rhythm in his work has inspired me to think about composition, movement and flow within the lengths of my canvas.

I am inspired by objects found in nature. Nothing makes me want to paint more than beautiful flowers, trees, fruit, sea shells, and other natural treasures.

I would have to say that the most notable place that has inspired my work has been Paris. A trip to the Louvre and the Musee D'Orsay in Paris many years ago strengthened my interest in the classical painting methods and confirmed my love of traditional art.

The most notable artist that I have been influenced by is William-Adolphe Bouguereau. An exhibition of his work several years ago at the San Diego Museum of Art allowed me to see his masterpieces in person, which I found greatly inspiring.

I am inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest, where I live. My very first macraweave landscape was a lake and mountain image, and from there I dreamed up the San Juan Islands macraweave, the Mt. Rainier macraweave, and from there I developed my signature style! I grew up going to summer camp in the San Juan Islands, and it holds such a special place in my heart.

I am inspired by so many incredible fiber artists, but in particular I have to shout out Rachel Breuklander, the Lark's Head Shop. She has developed such a unique and distinctive style of macramé with her landscapes, and has started an important conversation about inspiration versus copying in the macramé community. I have been greatly inspired by her landscapes, but like to think that I have put my own spin on the style using different techniques and incorporating weaving.

Walking along a pebble beach in the west coast is something indescribable. The sheer number of rocks that sit below our feet, all looking grey and dull at first glance, but they illuminate with color when you take a closer look. I have spent a lot of time studying the shape and naturally occurring colors in the rocks of the west coast.

Recently, I have drawn most of my artistic inspiration from the elements. During the process of creating the "Come to the Water" collection, I liked to describe my practice as a partnership with the elements: we were working together to create the final image. The multitude of alpine lakes in Western Washington or the vast beauty that lies within the coast is where I drew my inspiration this summer. Moving from Mississippi, I had never been around such extravagantly beautiful bodies of water and I felt a calling to explore what water means to me at this stage of my life.

The most notable person that has inspired my work so far would have to be Emily Jeffords. Hearing Emily's struggling being an emerging artist made me feel less alone and way more determined. Emily inspired me to push past the self doubt and second guessing and create. I may not have continued in my artistic career if it was not for Emily's story.

I have been heavily inspired by textiles, including woven and stitched fabrics, paper stencils for fabric dying, and various types of yarn-dyed fabrics. This inspiration makes its way into my backgrounds and informs my use of texture.

Much of my work is inspired by Japan and its traditional art forms, food, and patterns. I incorporate images from my travels there, as well as memories from growing up Japanese in the US.

I attribute my love of art to my parents, especially my mom. Growing up, my parents helped me form a solid artistic background with lots of classes and museum visits. As I child, I got to see my mom blend her technical and artistic expertise, giving me a blueprint for my current activities.

I'm not sure if this is an object, but astrology and the astrological charts of myself and the constant moments in time. It helps me give my feelings validation and also provides a language for the feelings so that I can write about my work with more clarity.

I really love Skagit Valley. We moved to Camano Island in 1998 and I moved away after graduating highschool (2000). Although my parents no longer live there, I have many fond memories of visiting them and spending time in the valley. There are expansive views of farmfields as well as the Sound and San Juan Islands. It fills me with a similar expansiveness that is very inspiring.

There has been a steady stream of people who have contributed but probably most notable is Keiko Hara. She was head of the art department at Whitman when I was a student and was very fomative in my decision to follow art as a career.

Washington state is--in my opinion--the most beautiful area of the United States and there are hundreds of forests nearby. My wife and I frequently take our kids to Mount Rainier National Park and, although I find inspiration in nearly every forest, it is at Mount Rainier that I find the greatest inspiration and appreciation for trees.

I am completely self-taught so nearly all of my progress has come from standing at the lathe and learning through mistakes. I have had the benefit of social media, however, and world renowned woodturning artists like Mark Sanger (UK) and John Jordan (US) have offered feedback, critique and inspiration over the past few years.

It’s not an object but nature in general has most inspired my work. Forests and trees, water, the sky, flowers, the color of the clouds at dusk. I almost always include some element of nature in my work.

Puerto Rico is what my art practice centers around and always finds its way back to. I love drawing lush tropical landscapes full of plants native to Puerto Rico such as palm trees and flamboyan flowers. I am inspired by the land, the buildings, my family, the way of life. No nací en Puerto Rico pero Puerto Rico nació en mi.

I am most inspired by the women in my family, especially my mom Teresa. She has always pushed me to continue working on my art. She once told me how her parents left Puerto Rico in order to give their children and grandchildren a chance at a better life. How her father was a soldier so she could be a mother so I could be an artist. This is the affirmation I repeat to myself that keeps me grounded and reminds me of the sacrifices made for me to be able to pursue my art.

Maybe my brushes and palette knife- good tools are essential to being able to create.

Growing up, I spent hours out of doors- mostly in the Pacific Northwest. This meant exploring the woods behind my house, hiking, skiing, kayaking and swimming. Nature has always spoken to me on a deep level. As a child I learned the names of the native plants in the area. As an adult I love the solace I find in the out-of-doors and work to create a visual experience that will carry this feeling to the viewer.

My father, Charles Smith was a sculptor and designer. Growing up seeing him work was inspirational