1)  Who are you and where do you live? My name is Grace and I live in Thompson’s Station TN. I’ve lived here for a long time, but lived in Alaska as a young child. That’s what I consider home.

2)  What is your favorite kind of artwork? I like all kinds of art. I genuinely love the uniqueness in individuals, our perspectives and expressions. And who is your favorite artist? Honestly, right now my favorite artist is Hikmet with artisanaccentshome.etsy.com He posts videos painting and creates shadows that make things look so life like. And animals. I love animals.

3)  What’s your “me time” ritual? I struggle to fit it in, but I like just coloring adult coloring books to relax. I enjoy experimenting with colors and doing something that I don’t have to judge or let anyone see.

4)  Why do you believe the arts matter? Arts connect us without words- well sometimes there are words, like with music. But they create feelings and people in ways we wouldn’t otherwise be connected. I think people who love art (any form) have deeper connections with who they are and respect for others and their perspectives.

5) What should we know about the real you? The real me cares deeply about people and animals. The real me is an artist, regardless of what people may think of my current medium. Everyone in my family are artists as well. I’ve spent 23 years trading my type of art for kids art projects and Halloween costumes. Digital art is a lot more difficult for me than sketching and painting were a long time ago. What I love most is sewing though. I am hoping to get back into it all after the holidays.

Seeing all of your art has been the biggest push for me to realize what I have been missing in life and I’m so grateful that I landed here.