The beach is my happy place. I grew up one of 4 kids in a chaotic and emotionally abusive environment. I lived in a state of constant anxiety and fear of getting screamed at for making any small mistake. Home didn't always feel safe, which is why I always wanted to be at the beach. Since I was a kid, being at the beach is where I felt calm and safe and could just play, swim, be a kid and relax. It was the one place I could just BE and didn't have to be doing something perfectly.

That's why I paint the beach. I want to create that feeling of calm and peace in the home where it always feels safe.