Welcome to JB Artistry

Dec 17

“Art is Life”

#artislife

My motto, my favorite hashtag, and how I strive to live day to day. Im an artist at heart, and always have been. I seek out every opportunity in life to express my creativity and add beauty to my surroundings. And I especially enjoy passing on this love to my kids, who surprise me everyday with the unique way in which they see the world.

I have always had a love of art, and from a young age I was blessed with the ability to create. Over the course of my life my interests and skills have changed but the need to create has never ebbed. And while I often shift my focus from one skill or craft to another, my focus on my current task is unwavering. I love learning new techniques and skills. I’ll sit for hours with yarn in my lap learning a new crochet stitch, or stain my fingers with ink as I teach myself a new way to use India inks. Part of what I love is learning, and the accomplishment I feel when I’ve mastered a new skill.

When it comes to my career , I make no exceptions. I began my (official) journey in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Imaging and Digital Arts from UMBC (University of Maryland, Baltimore County). I fell in love with 3D modeling and annimaiton and loved creating and recreating worlds using all the high-tech tools I could get my hands on. Alias Wavefront Maya was my learning platform . Adobe products of Photoshop , Illustrator and Dreamweaver added to my 2D computer art skills as well. I dreamed of a career working for ILM or Dreamworks , making movies like Toy Story or Jurassic Park.

But, Life doesn’t always go the way you plan, right? So I spent years doing web design and graphic design. I moved into furniture sales after a second layoff, and eventually made my way into the Interior Design industry where I discovered a love of fabrics and soft window treatments. I moved through the ranks at the Expo Design Center and became a Whole House Designer, doing not only design work for soft treatments, but also kitchen and baths. Its was a fun and challenging job that taught me a lot

And when I discovered that I was pregnant, I transferred all my creativity into my life as a stay-at-home mom. With my kids, I paint and draw. I quilt, sew and crochet. I do photography. I make cards and paper gift boxes. We love art, love making messes.

3D model of a chair & ottoman set. Created in Sketchup & Rendered in the eDesign Tribe Platform

By chance, I got a contract job and spent a few years making Adult Coloring Books (you can purchase them at Amazon.com Winter Wonderland, Crazy Kittens, Celestial Wonders).

When the kids were both in school, I decided that it was time for me to go back out into the workforce as well. In 2017, I got a Design Assistant position at a local interior design firm Patrick Street Interiors I love this job. I’m again back in the creative world, helping people make their own homes more beautiful..

When my lead designer needed a better way to show her clients her visions, I was happy to help. I learned Home Designer Suite for floor plans and layouts. And when she needed to show a unique piece of furniture on her layouts, I discovered 3D modeling again. Blender, Sketchup and the eDesign Tribe Render Platform & Coohom are now my tools, and I feel like with this twist in my career, I’ve come full circle back to my original love of 3D modeling.

New tools and rendering software. Edesign and virtual design. These are the things that get me really excited! I love the challenge of modeling new pieces. I love the beautiful end result of a Photorealistic Render . I love being a part of this ever-evolving industry, and I love being able to help other Interior Designers bring their visions to reality. Being a Virtual Design Assistant gives me the opportunity to do all of these things.

Because, no matter what I do, I do it with the eye of an artist. With the soul of a creator. And the pride of a Designer.

#artislife

Just a few samples of the Art & Craft project I’ve done over the years. There’s no skill or technique that I won't try, and I’m always looking for the next project