Madison: Through the Lens of Art

Born and raised in Southern California, my love for nature, sunshine, and fresh breezes drifting through open windows has always been inherent. I grew up on family camping trips among the trees, digging for sand crabs at the beach with my sisters, and twirling in princess dresses whenever I could. At home, I picked citrus from our backyard trees and was encouraged to embrace my doodles. Creativity was evident from an early age—filling the pages of sketchbooks, pretending my friends and I had magical powers, and exploring drawing, acting, and dancing. My parents once signed me up for soccer with my older sister, but I was usually chasing butterflies or singing Hannah Montana, completely unaware of where the ball was. That best captures the spirit of my childhood.

Art has always felt innate to me—I truly don’t know who I would be without it. Throughout my childhood and young adulthood, my passion was nurtured through gifts of sketchbooks, colored pencils, and the kind words of family and friends. I was often found at my sister’s sporting events, head tucked into a “How-To Kids Sketchbook.” In high school, what began as an elective to fill my schedule grew into something much more. My teacher, Mr. Gillette, was a huge inspiration, helping me refine shading, detail, and symmetry while encouraging me to see my art as more than a hobby. I still treasure the animal pieces I created during those years. Though pursuing art as a career felt too daunting at the time, his encouragement stayed with me and continues to motivate me today. Beyond his guidance, my artistic journey has been largely self-taught.

After high school, during a period of recovery from an eating disorder, art became a true lifeline. I spent countless hours filling sketchbooks and this is where my fine-lined, detail-oriented style began to take shape. Trees, animals, and nature poured from my pen, each drawing helping me reconnect with myself. With every tree I sketched, I felt a little closer to finding who I was again. Art saved me.

As the years went on, my sketchbooks piled high, my confidence grew, and fantastical elements began to weave into my natural scenes. I developed a preference for ink, and with it, a style that matured naturally and became entirely my own. My art feels like a reflection of me—each line holds a piece of myself—and my gratitude for it is beyond words. When I began sharing my work on social media, the admiration and support I received filled me with such joy and possibility. I started writing “I am an artist” in my journal each night, until the words felt less intimidating and more like the truth I was stepping into.

This journey led me here, today, with an entire website devoted to my creations. I am overjoyed to continue to move toward my future as an artist, author, and more.