Mandy

Hi I'm

artist, mom, city gal, magic-maker

I've long had a love of art and a creative passion but it wasn't until the birth of my daughter that I decided I wanted to make art and design my main career focus. 

I learned to love creating as a small child, spending hours watching my grandmother crafting. I witnessed her enjoyment of the process and attention to the smallest of details. Following in her footsteps, I soon began making homemade cards and gifts for family members. As I grew up and transitioned to middle and high school, I still loved art and creating but as often happens, I enjoyed trying new things and ended up following my friends into sports. I still made occasional time for art but it wasn’t a focus.  

I'm so glad we connected!

Thank you for being here. 

Fast forward to college - I was living in Philadelphia, majoring in Journalism at Temple University. The spring of my sophomore year I added Intro to Oil Painting as a class that semester and absolutely loved it. For the first time in years, I was looking at the world with fresh eyes to find inspiration for my class. My heart was open and I was inspired, relaxed and truly at peace. 

With such a change in myself, it may have made sense to switch majors or at least take more art classes, however, my level headed brain overruled my heart and pushed me back into the path I had decided for myself, journalism. I went forward as planned only to decide after graduation that it wasn’t for me.

I moved home to my small Pennsylvania town and tried to figure out what was next. A much longed for move to New York several years later had me falling into a new career: email marketing. At first the mix of creativity and geeky tech inspired and excited me but ten years of long hours and toxicity in the corporate world left me desperately needing a fresh start.

I reconnected with my art during the pandemic and realized then that I wanted more of it in my life. Shortly thereafter I discovered the world of surface design and instantly knew it was for me. Much like the oil painting class in college, I again found myself with an open heart and at peace. 

If I can share one lesson from my story, it’s that when we intentionally create the life we want, our heart begins to expand. It’s not easy to plant the seeds of change and we can often be swept away by what is right in front of us. Taking those small daily steps is where the change happens.

I continue to work each day on creating a life I am proud to live. Like anything worth creating, it is filled with ups and downs. I no longer shy away from following my heart and I embrace all the learning and growing that comes with hard work. It is truly up to each of us to create the magic we want to see in our lives. I can't wait to support you on your journey. 

Becoming a mother at 39 was the greatest gift I have ever received and I cherish each moment I share with my daughter.

I have "ex nihilo" tattooed on my wrist because I believe that we create our lives "out of nothing."

I'm a true introvert that thrives on authentic connection. Give me a cup of coffee and a paint brush and I'll open right up.