I am an artist, designer, and educator. I enjoy doing all manner of art, craft, and design: knitting, ceramics, printmaking, watercolor painting, digital art, just to name a few. I sell my handmade books and other tools for artists via my Etsy shop, Studio Pienza. At home, we watch a lot of soccer, tennis, and movies. You’ll see me walking around the neighborhood twice daily with our two corgis, Cricket and Dilly. I am also an avid pianist. I am a plant hoarder, especially cactus and succulents. I love nature and taking photos of nature to use in my artwork.
Q: Please tell us a little bit about your origin story. Where were you born and did you grow up here? Share a little about your childhood and your family.
I grew up outside Philadelphia and lived in the area until my husband and I moved to Los Angeles in 2008. I grew up with a younger sister, and I have fond memories of swimming all summer and coming up with crazy synchronized swimming dance routines. I was always doing some kind of art or craft, so in retrospect, it’s not surprising where I ended up as a career, but I definitely didn’t see “art” as a career path back then. I miss Philly a lot, but we love going back to visit family and friends and enjoying all the food and tourist attractions there.
Q: Please tell us about your current, past, or future career. What do you love most about what you do?
I’ve been a graphic designer since I graduated from college in the mid-1990s. Later I went back to grad school so I could teach graphic design. I’ve been a professor in the Art Department at Cal Poly Pomona since 2008. I love that in my job is flexible. If I want to learn a new aspect of art or design, I can build that curiosity into my classes.
Q: What are a couple of your favorite restaurants in our community?
38 Degrees! We go almost every week and order the same dang thing. I love that the staff knows our order. Though, my beer choice changes depending upon what is on tap.
Q: How long have you lived or worked in our community? Tell us about your favorite memory or experience living in Monrovia.
I’ve lived in Monrovia since 2009. At Christmas, riding on Santa’s sleigh behind the fire truck has to be up there on Monrovia-unique experiences!
Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be and why?
My husband, John, and I both have Italian ancestry, and we really want to take a trip to Italy with our son to see the motherland. Plus, our son loves making fresh pasta and risotto, so Italy will provide some new inspiration for us to sample!
Q: What is one of your favorite movies of all time? Do you have a favorite TV show or shows?
Jaws. It’s got everything: a family’s story, man’s struggle with nature, quotable lines — “You’re gonna need a bigger boat”– a mechanical shark. What more could you ask for?
Q: What advice would you give to people? Do you have a Life Lesson quote?
“Everything is temporary.” This was also my high school yearbook quote. I guess some things AREN’T temporary.
Q: What is something on your bucket list?
I hope to one day have an alpaca farm and make my own yarn. Also, I believe it is perfectly normal to have alpaca as house pets.
Q: What is your go to band when you can’t decide what music to listen to?
I enjoy listening to film scores, particularly while I’m working. Right now as I type this I am listening to the Asteroid City soundtrack.
Q: What current or former local business makes you the most nostalgic about our community?
Kattywompus/Dollmakers was a favorite store in Old Town. My son really enjoyed looking at and playing with all the toys and visiting with Tootie the dog. The owners were so nice, and the selection of toys felt like an old-timey store.
Q: If you could choose anyone that is alive today and not a relative, with whom would you love to have lunch? Why? And where locally would y’all meet for this lunch?
My celebrity crush is Jason Segel. FYI, my husband is aware of this. But I seriously love how goofy and vulnerable and real he is. Forgetting Sarah Marshall, The End of the Tour, Shrinking… We would meet somewhere very public, like Library Park, so John was sure there were no shenanigans. Ice cream lunch of Moo Moo Mia?
Q: What is your favorite thing about Monrovia or something unique about our community that you like?
I really enjoy having a downtown that is walkable from my home. We are so lucky to have some many great businesses right here.
Q: Sometimes our mistakes can be our greatest teachers. Can you share a story about the funniest mistake you’ve ever made?
I think it’s funny to think about the purity and literal simplicity of how we think the world works when we’re kids. Or the misunderstanding of it. Like, I used to think “Don’t Drink and Drive” meant literally, “don’t have drinks in the car because you won’t be able to see where you’re going once you hold that big plastic cup up to your face to take a sip of your Coke.”
Q: Even for friends or family, what is something interesting that most people don’t know about you?
I would like to learn how to play the cello.
Q: What is the most beautiful place you have ever been?
A toss-up between Kauai, Hawaii or Pienza, Italy.
Q: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
Never being done.
Q: What would you rate a 10 out of 10?
Relaxing on the sofa, watching TV at night, us three humans, two dogs close by, knitting in my lap, adult beverage, followed by ice cream.
Q: Who inspires you to be better?
My husband, my son, my students.
Q: If you could inspire a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the greatest amount of people, what would that be?
This is so hard to choose just one thing! But it’s hard not to think how the environment isn’t woven into everything in our existence…food, water, air. Kind of the basis of all human and animal life, right?
Q: Finally, what three character traits come to mind when you think of your success in life?
Vulnerability, willingness to learn new things, laugh a lot…especially at yourself…seriously!
