Check out my online art classes for beginners!
Hi, I'm Mattie
Welcome to my Site
I'm an artist, photographer, and art instructor with a deep love for creativity in all its forms. My journey as an artist hasn’t been a straight path, but every step has shaped who I am today.
More About Me
My Creative Journey
I actually started college as a music major, planning to pursue a career in music. I’ve always loved singing and playing piano, but along the way, I realized that while music was a passion, it wasn’t where I felt at home. That place was art. Once I made the switch, I never looked back.
In college, I experimented with all sorts of mediums—from painting to printmaking to sculpture—but I kept coming back to charcoal and portrait drawing. There was something about capturing human expression that fascinated me. I loved painting, too, and while I enjoyed exploring different techniques, I quickly learned that pottery was not my calling—let’s just say the pottery wheel and I never quite got along!
After earning my BA in Fine Art (Drawing Concentration) with a Business Administration minor, I continued creating and teaching, but my focus on selling my own work really ramped up during COVID. With extra time when the bakery I worked at wasn’t open every day and teaching shifting from in-person to online, I had the opportunity to dedicate more time to developing and selling my artwork. That experience helped shape the direction of my career, allowing me to balance my love for creating, teaching, and sharing art with others.
Current Favorite Medium
Pencil!
I mainly use #2 pencils and if I want some more depth for shadows I will add in some B drawing pencils.
The Artist & Photographer
Today, I specialize in portraiture, capturing emotion and depth through pencil, charcoal, and acrylic paint. I also love creating dragons, roses, and whimsical fantasy pieces, often blending realism with imagination. My background in photography helps me approach art with a strong sense of composition and lighting, and I also enjoy taking photos that feel painterly and expressive. Whether it's a portrait, a landscape, or a fleeting moment, I love the challenge of turning an image into a story.
The Art Educator
I’ve been teaching art since 2017, working with students of all ages in both in-person and online settings. I offer private lessons, structured courses, and seasonal challenges, guiding students through foundational techniques, creative exploration, and skill refinement. My teaching philosophy is all about encouragement, patience, and making art both enjoyable and accessible.
A Life Filled with Creativity
When I’m not drawing, painting, or teaching, you can find me:
☕ Sipping on Earl Grey tea while reading a fantasy novel
📸 Taking my camera on adventures to capture inspiring moments
🎶 Singing just for fun—because music will always be a part of me
🐾 Spending time with my husband and two dogs, Freya and Morpheus
🎨 Developing ideas for my own coloring books
📚 Dreaming up and illustrating children’s books—a creative adventure I can’t wait to share!
