Is your artwork planned or spontaneous for the most coat anything, and I truly appreciate it because it keeps me
part?
grounded. Also, being a girl in a male dominated field inspires
My work for the most part is planned. When working on spe-
me, because I want to inspire other girls to go out there and
cific designs, that include pinups or other things of that nature.
don’t be intimated and just have fun with it. There is also this
I sketch out my ideas first to get an overview of what I’m going
misconception about the starving artist, but I have found that
for. When striping purses or shoes, I use a stabilo pencil and
the real wealth is in meeting people through my art. People
lightly draw out my design, because working on a flexible sur-
who are genuine and creating friendships, because of that hu-
face, it can be difficult to keep you design balanced. But if I’m
man factor, I’ll never have to worry about being a starving art-
just doing some old school designs on a flat surface, then I’m
ist.
very spontaneous, and I build off the design, and sometimes
even add fading lines that make the designs pop out and look What keeps you motivated on those days when you just
almost like they are neon lights. I think being spontaneous is
don’t feel like striping but commission work needs to get
exciting for the fact you’re never to sure what the outcome is
finished?
going to be, and it will always be different from your previous
Ah! The famous artist block, those are never fun, what I do
work.
when I get stuck in those modes, is to take a small break and
then try to tackle it again later. If I’m still not able to get what
Do you use a computer, plotter to help with design
I need to accomplish, then I’ll work on something else to keep
ideas? my creativity afloat. Try working on another project that’s in a
I do use a computer when it comes to working on certain ideas different medium, because I feel that it helps spark ideas on
or pieces that I want to execute. My dad has an older plot- how to do something differently and experiment with using an-
ter that I play around with, and cut out decals. Lately I’ve been other method that could be more effective. I believe that some-
drawing up some skull designs and have fun with it. It’s a really times the harder that you push your creativity, the harder it is
fun feeling seeing some of your artwork made into a decal and to let it flow naturally.
you can stick it on stuff. For my personal computer I have an
iMac with a Wacom Intuos 3 tablet, I’ll sketch out ideas and do
Who are some artists you’ve worked with?
some digital painting in Photoshop. I feel that the computer is
I’ve been very fortunate to work with many awesome artists
a great tool, and can help you grow as an artist; I believe that
who are also my mentors. I guess you could say I’m a padawon
it’s another skill that you can add to your artistic toolbox. But
pin striper learning from all these Pinstriping Jedi Masters try-
of course I feel that you have to understand the artistic basics
ing to understand the force (a little star wars reference, I’m a
and you can apply all that knowledge when you cross over to
sci-fi nerd). Howard Yamamoto gave me my first pin striping
the computer side.
box. John Hannukaine and Gary Jenson really gave me guid-
ance and were patient with teaching me brush control. Rich
Ayer has always given me advice and courage to pursue the
pin striping field. I also had the honor to learn from Airbrush
artist A.D. Cook; he helped me understand a lot of airbrushing
techniques. I also got to work with airbrush artist Nick Lee,
there were a few projects that he airbrushed and I got to pin-
stripe around, he’s a very talented artist. My airbrush teacher
from high school Mrs. George, it’s rare to have an airbrush
course in high school and it was amazing seeing how much
knowledge she has! I’m so grateful to all of the mentors and
friends who I have been able to work and learn from, I feel that
I have such a great support system.
What inspires you to stripe?
There are many things that inspire me to pinstripe, but I think
one of the reasons, is the fact that it is a very perfectionist
type of art. I’m a huge perfectionist and I try to be as precise
as I can, and that’s what makes it a challenge. Also knowing I
have my parents’ support in doing this helps a lot. My dad is my
coach and my mom is cheerleader, they really help me achieve
my goals. My dad is a huge inspiration to me, and my worse
critic, he’ll let me know if a line isn’t straight and doesn’t sugar
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