How did you get started in your craft medium(s)?/How did you get started?/What inspired you to start your business?
I have always pursued art in any medium I had access to, but when discovering block printing at Portland Community College, I became enamored by it. It is an ancient practice that has split in different directions over time, but the fundamentals haven’t changed a whole lot which really fascinates me. The process of carving an image into a piece of wood and transferring that image in ink to paper seemed so genius to me. It requires a huge time dedication for even a single project, but completing one is such an incredible feeling and the more time spent, the more satisfaction. Printing requires less focus from me and its a good time to get on my feet and take a break from hunching over all day and straining my eyes. Every print is an original as no two will be perfectly the same, but I always aim to make them indecipherable. They’re like the children birthed from the carving. A couple years ago, printmaking was bit of a side hustle while I was working a full job. When I was encouraged by my partner to apply to markets and sell my prints to customers in person, my business began to take off.
Where do you draw influence from?/What has most impacted your art?
I’m inspired by the things around me that make me feel very intense emotions. Whenever I’m surrounded by wildlife, I’m incredibly blissful and at peace to my core. It allows me to notice the smallest details in things that I would not normally be able to see in the droning buzz of my concrete hometown. I do love Portland, but it’s the access I have to the surrounding deep nature that works for me as medicine and makes this city feel so human. Some of my curiosities that take life in my work are life cycles, fungi, plant life, pretty much all animals and human consciousness and perception.
What is the difference between PSM and other markets?/For you, what is the core of PSM?/What is your favorite part of PSM?
PSM has been alive for fifty years. It contains a piece of Portland’s soul and offers a place for creators to gather and share their crafts with visitors from all over. The location is a beautiful part of the city and attracts tourists regardless of the market. Creatives generally have never easily made a living off of their craft, but PSM allows us to develop relationships with a huge number of customers we might not have crossed paths with. It has developed a large community of creators that greatly inspire me. I remember as a child wandering the market with my grandma, who had previously sold her quilts there, and being very impressed by peoples’ ability to create things. They, along with my grandma, inspired me to do the same.
How would you describe the difference between “arts” and “crafts”?/What makes your food art?/What about your process is most important to you?
To craft is to use your hands and your brain to build something usually with some level of practicality, based on sets of learned skills. As for art, I don’t think anyone can truly define art, but I think of it as a form of communication that works to convey pretty much anything. It’s often used to communicate emotions, ideas, opinions or whatever else an artist feels strongly about. I think it’s the intension you put into a thing that makes it art. Often when I make a piece of art, it’s my attempt to archive something I’m feeling as to never forget that feeling. Like a bookmark I suppose. I’m incredibly fortunate to be a place where I can share those feelings with people through this form of communication. That’s what I think the most important part of my process is; transferring the feeling into an image. Which is usually an ugly incoherent sketch that I wouldn’t dare show anybody.
What’s your favorite thing in the world right now?/What is the last book you read?/What is one thing you can talk about for hours?
Favorite thing? Definitely my family. My partner and our animals are everything to me.
Last book I read? I wish I had the time/attention span to read a whole book, but I love listening to audiobooks. Last one was The Road.
Thing I could talk about for hours though? Neolithic anthropology. And birds.
How long have you sold your wares at PSM? What encouraged you to apply/ keeps you vending with us now?
I’ve been selling at here since May ’22. I've made some friends at other markets around Portland and a couple of them encouraged me to apply to PSM. I hadn’t really considered it, but they boosted my confidence enough to get me out of my own way and give it a shot. I am in love with the community and I love being able to contribute to this city.