LET'S PAINT A MURAL!
Murals change environments, elevate moods, and add value to spaces in a BIG way.
Whether it’s an accent wall inside your home or business, a splash of color in your backyard, or turning your pool into an outdoor retreat – I’m here for it all!
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A nomadic Artist, living and creating in a self-converted van, I paint in a jubilant riot of color to harness the splendor of landscapes through which I travel.
I love to find a campsite near a natural water source, but I think Paco loves it even more. 🏞️
This was our first lake of the year, and it was only a short walk from the van. The best part was that the road leading to the lake is still closed for the winter season, so we had the entire place to ourselves.
It was so tranquil and silent. We saw coyotes, moose, many great blue herons 🫣, ducks, and so many fish leaping from the water.
It was mostly silent, other than when we got lucky enough to be serenaded by a chorus of frogs. Absolutely perfect.
We`ll definitely be going back to this spot. 😌
A behind-the-scenes glimpse at the creation of Desert Memories — a brand new mini collection of five original paintings inspired by multiple Arizona campsites and landscapes.
- Releasing June 2 at 9 AM CST
- Only 5 originals
- First look goes to email subscribers (link in bio to get on the list!)
Let the countdown begin! 🎉🙌🏼
Paco and I were featured in the most recent @wherewomencreate newsletter and I`m still pinching myself!!
You can read more about our story in the Where Women Create Summer edition, which hits newsstands June 9!
I can`t wait to see the magazine in person! 🥰🙌🥳
#womencreate #artist #vanlife #vanlifediaries
I’ll choose quiet and simple over loud and chaotic every time; slow mornings, long saunters, staying camped in the same spot for a full two weeks. There’s no rush, no chasing after the next big thing, and no need to prove anything.
Slow living is my speed. I get to watch the sun rise and set every day, observe the moon pass through phases, and continue to be awed by the starlit sky.
The best part? I get to live in places that most people only briefly experience on vacation. 😌🐶
Not all campsites are created equal.
We were lucky enough to call this gorgeous location our home for 10 days. Not only were the views spectacular, but there were so many trails to explore and miles to wander.
It was just the place I was hoping to find when getting back on the road. I wanted a spot to stay for an extended period so I could settle back into my routines, pull out the paints, and get my legs used to long hikes again.
This spot was just the ticket. 🥰
I am completely enamored by Juniper trees.
Their gnarled bodies, silvered and ragged from harsh weather, contort into gravity-defying angles. Bare branches jut toward the sky in twisted spirals, like supernatural beings frozen in motion. Walking among them feels like a glimpse into prehistoric times, and they have a certain element of magic that pulls me in.
I’ve drawn several junipers in the past, and after our last campsite, more may be flowing out of me in the near future! 😍
The Oklahoma panhandle doesn’t offer a lot of boondocking options, but during our last visit home, I discovered what might become my new regular pit stop.
I’d been driving for 5 hours, and when I stopped for gas, I realized I still had another 2 hours until our destination. Not thrilled, I climbed into the van, and we got back on the long, straight highway.
I was listening to podcasts and snacking on sugary candies my sister had given me when I passed a sign that intrigued me enough to pull over: Optima Wildlife Refuge.
What I’ve learned during my years of vanlife, is that you can usually spend the night in National Wildlife Refuges, National Grasslands, and other spots that you might not immediately consider.
Thankfully, I had signal, and after a quick search, realized there was a campground five minutes down the road I’d just passed. A quick U-turn and we were on our way toward it.
I should’ve read the Google map reviews a little more closely. I somehow missed that the word “apocalyptic” was used more than once to describe the place, and I quickly realized just how accurate that descriptor was.
I’d later learn from my dad that the area used to be a lake. Optima Lake was built by the Corps of Engineers in the late 70s, but the lake never held water. Millions of dollars were spent to build the lake, an impressive dam, and several lakeside campgrounds, but everything was shut down in 1995. By 2010, the 160 campsites, picnic enclosures, restrooms, and power poles were demolished.
All that aside, it’s a fascinating place to spend the night. I’m always a fan of nature reclaiming the land, so walking around the desolate campground where trees sprout through asphalt, grass grows through every crack it can find, and animals are thriving was interesting, to say the least.
It was total silence, apart from birds and crickets, easy to find a level spot to camp, and there are still a few picnic tables should you need one. And, yes, it`s legal to park there - at your own risk.
Apocalyptic or not, it’s definitely my new go-to when I make the long drive back to my hometown.
Another fun thing I did while in Oklahoma was build some benches for my parents’ front porch.
I made three small benches so they’d be easier to move around to allow different seating arrangements and configurations. Or they could be lined up to create a nice place to lie down, as my dad quickly figured out.
I also built two tiny ottomans that can easily be tucked away beneath the benches when not in use.
Working with my hands has always brought me joy, and I love to build tangible objects that provide long-term, practical use. Paco helped, too. I love how calm he is around all the loud power tools – I’ve definitely conditioned him to the noise and sawdust over the years. 😆👩🏼🔧🛠️🪚
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