My earliest interest in the arts stemmed from watching, and eventually joining, my mother as she painted wooden blocks of Disney characters when I was a toddler. Those many hours of quiet creativity provided a space of safety and exploration of techniques that I still remember to this day. That creative spirit spread into my everyday life growing up, making art classes during my primary and high school years can't-miss events. I then received a scholarship to continue advancing my art at Fontbonne University. My first two years of college were packed with the building blocks for any aspiring artist: drawing, painting, design, ceramics, art history, and more. But I, like many, eventually felt the need to accept a more “realistic” path; I changed my major to Communications and pursued a career in retail, marketing, and events.

After major milestones in my adult life—graduation, my first corporate gig, getting married, buying my forever home, and perhaps a few mental collapses along the way—I was gently reminded that I could weave art back into my routine. For me, making art allows me to release the stress and simply exist, reminding me of the times that I shared with my mother in my early attempts at creation. With a gentle nudge from my husband, who had provided a full array of art supplies years prior in an attempt to help me pick up the brush again, I slowly allowed myself to create freely. I often find myself gravitating to elements of the natural world—plants, flowers, water, earth—and suffusing them with new energy, color, and movement. Spending more and more time in my at-home studio, giving away finished pieces to loved ones, and dreaming of a life dedicated to artistry, I decided it was time to begin sharing my art with you here.

I aim to use this platform as a way to offer, in various forms, pieces that I’ve already created, provide a glimpse into pieces that I'm actively creating, and communicate with those near and far. Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions, or just to say hi, at colepourchot@yahoo.com.