I live to create - food, art, and relationships.
Food has always been a big part of my life. First, I was a husky kid (my parents were team clear-your-plate). If we had nothing else in my house and in my family we had good food and fellowship. My mom still makes my favorites when I come to visit.
In grad school I had to make money stretch so I began to cook a lot more. I got good at it. Now (much like my mom) I get great joy from cooking good food for my friends. When I'm bored and hungry, I love to recreate recipes from my favorite restaurants. My favorites right now are Zack's Three Cheese Chicken Mac from my favorite restaurant in Milwaukee, and Jambalaya.
I also drink lots of wine.
Art is a huge stress reliever (especially during big transitions). I gave up on being an art major in high school, but I kept painting and sculpting. I love it, but I think I'm too much of a perfectionist sometimes. I have lots of works in progress, but the green Lauryn Hill (below) is my favorite right now. I also love repurposing things. I have an evolving sculpture made of wine corks... from all the wine I drink.
I've recently experimented with textiles which has been challenging and dope at the same time. My dad introduced me to sewing as a kid, and my friend Monica taught me how to use a sewing machines. I've made a number of bow ties over last few years, a pair of pajamas, and am about to start a new (and ambitious) project. Stay tuned.
I also taught myself to knit, and made a decent looking necktie.
"Relationships are the currency of power." This was something I used to teach, when I was at University of Minnesota. People usually connect this quote to social capital, but recently I've realized how relationships, especially meaningful ones, are empowering for me. I've been blessed with amazing "forever friends" and I'm always meeting new folks who contribute to my life in ways I could never have anticipated.
Photography courtesy of Rhys Logan.
