Welcome to my creative endeavors!

 

I've always loved artsy things, but two years ago when my 14-year-old shockingly said, "I didn't know you could draw!" in response to a doodle, I knew I'd been repressing my creative side for far too long -- at least 14 years! Now, I'm diving into the artsy things that bring me joy. You may even find me having fun on a community theater stage in Southwest Washington.

 

As a professional American Sign Language/English Interpreter, I regularly transform English phrases into the visual medium of ASL to paint a picture of meaning for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing clients, or in reverse all in a matter of seconds. My work highlights the impressive abilities of the human brain as it processes both languages simultaneously. 

 

I love my "day" job!

 

I took my first ASL class during my freshman year in high school and took an untraditional path into the field. Feeling like an imposter, I ended up pursuing a Master's Degree in Interpreting Studies from Western Oregon University. My thesis on the professional identity of ASL/English interpreters resulted in acknowledging the power of actively labeling myself as an ASL/English Interpreter to fighting imposter syndrome and develop Self-Concept Clarity.

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So... here I am saying to anyone on the internet and my own imposter syndrome... I am an aspiring author and illustrator seeking representation! 

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Creating comics and graphic novels allows for a similar process as interpreting -- taking words and language and transforming their meaning into a visual medium - only with more flexibility, and fewer time constraints, all while emphasizing my own voice.

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There's magic in art and storytelling. Hopefully, I can carve out a future that leads to fewer hours at the "day" job and more hours of my life immersed in magic. 

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