About Me

As an artist, scholar, and educator, I work at the intersection of history, memory, and craft. I specialize in the delicate and expressive art of Victorian hairwork, with a particular focus on wirework hair flowers, a form rich in symbolism, craftsmanship, and intimate meaning.

My journey with hairwork began during my undergraduate studies at Washington State University, where I focused my research on Victorian-era hairwork as both a cultural artifact and a form of sentimental expression. As a historian of material culture, I have extensively studied its social, emotional, and economic dimensions. Referencing 19th-century publications and through careful study of contemporaneous hairwork pieces, I taught myself this intricate practice, not only to understand it, but to revive it as a living art.

I graduated Summa Cum Laude in 2022 with a degree in Humanities, with concentrations in History, Art History, and English (Writing). During my studies, I was honored to receive multiple scholarships recognizing both my academic achievements and artistic talents. My academic research continues to inform my work as a practicing artist and educator, allowing me to approach hairwork from both scholarly and deeply personal perspectives.

With over 20 years of experience as a visual artist, I have also worked as a gallery manager, art event coordinator, curator, and exhibition juror. My artwork has been exhibited in galleries and featured in publications worldwide; it has been used as album art and in television set design, and can be found in collections across the globe. I was honored to be named Detroit’s Best Local Artist in 2014 and to receive the Edda McCordic Talent Award for Art in 2019.

Whether I am creating heirloom commissions, leading workshops, or writing about the material and emotional lives of 19th-century makers, mourners, and memory-keepers, my work is grounded in care, research, and connection. Through these practices, I seek to honor the past and the quiet ways it continues to shape us.