I was born and raised in Alaska where I spent much of my childhood entertaining myself by hunting for frogs and picking wildflowers while my parents spent hours fishing on the Kenai River. I had a little worn-out wildflower ID book and would use it to identify all the flowers that bloomed throughout the short summers. My love for flowers and natural things has stayed with me to this day whether I am doing fieldwork, spending time in my studio, or doing research in a plant systematics lab. Much of my inspiration comes from memories of Alaska and my more recent scientific experience at Portland State University. I received my B.S. in Botany and am currently working on my Master's in plant systematics. I am continually awed by the biological world and how different organisms have evolved. It is strange and sometimes difficult to pull my brain in two directions – one in art and one in science – but someday I will find a balance.