I believe creativity lies at the heart of everything I do. My life journey has been full of unexpected twists and turns, leading me to a place I never could have imagined. As a child in the 1980s, I was immersed in a world of make-believe, theater and dance. My days were spent exploring the woods, conjuring stories and believing wholeheartedly in mermaids and fairies. It was an idyllic childhood, fueled by the freedom of roller skates and a bike that could take me anywhere within my three-cul-de-sac kingdom. Back then, I was convinced I was destined for the stage, declaring to anyone who would listen that I would be an actress.
Following my passion, I studied theater and English at Mount Holyoke College, then pursued a master’s degree in film and television production at the University of Bristol in England. If you had told me then that I would one day become an artist, I probably would have laughed. After all, my formal art education ended in middle school, replaced by a focus on theater and chorus in high school. Yet, looking back, I realize that my love for storytelling and visual expression was nurtured during those formative years in South Hadley and Bristol. Building sets, creating costumes, and bringing stories to life on stage and screen—these experiences laid the foundation for my creative journey.
College was a time of exploration and growth. I had the privilege of taking a master class with the legendary Vanessa Redgrave, and in England, I even found myself performing in a zombie play! We also poured our hearts into creating two independent films. My education instilled in me not only the ability to think creatively but also the courage to share my ideas with the world.
Growing up, I worked in my family’s restaurant and caught the entrepreneurial spirit from my parents. My dad taught me persistence and self-belief, while my mom instilled in me a love of design and antiques. After 10 successful years, they sold the restaurant and retired to a beautiful waterfront home in Scituate.
After graduating, I landed a dream job in television production at TWI in London. I loved the energy of the city and contributing to exciting TV programs. Those were the early years of my marriage, a time of excitement and possibility. But after a visit with my parents, we felt the pull to “cross the pond.”
On a summer visit, we instantly fell in love with their town—the mesmerizing water, the sandy beaches, and the charming atmosphere. My husband, Luke, who grew up by the sea in Cornwall, England, felt that same connection. We decided to make Scituate our home, too.
The move was challenging at first, but we eventually found our footing. We welcomed our first son, John, and then Conor a few years later. We adopted two rescue dogs, and 12 years ago, we moved into our forever home, a 1927 Dutch Colonial right in Scituate Harbor. This home has become my creative canvas and the backdrop for our family life.
Our boys have enjoyed an idyllic childhood filled with beach days, sailing lessons and the inspiration of this lovely coastal town.
Back in 2011, I was a stay-at-home mom yearning for a creative outlet. Inspired by author Jamie Cat Callan, I decided to start a blog. And so began Finding Silver Pennies, named after a cherished 1920’s childhood poetry book. It became my creative haven, where I wrote daily, honing my skills in writing, photography and even furniture painting.
When my youngest started kindergarten, I decided to explore another creative pursuit: watercolor. My first class was a humbling experience. Surrounded by experienced artists, my cheap supplies betrayed me with shedding brushes and buckling paper. Despite the initial self-doubt, I persevered, and that first class ignited a love affair with watercolor that continues to this day.
I began sharing my artwork on my blog, offering free printables and tutorials. In 2019, my son John and I launched a joint online shop, Findings Silver Pennies & Ink Harbour Illustrations. He was just 14, creating digital art, while I offered my watercolors. We’ve grown tremendously since then, expanding our product line to include stationery, prints and more. One of my favorite creations is our boxed desk calendar, a collaboration with my husband who handcrafts beautiful wooden stands. It brings me immense joy to know my art brings happiness to others. One customer said, “I always enjoy the first of the month just to change the card on your calendar and see what the next picture will be. I just feel like it’s happiness on my dresser.”
This year has been a whirlwind of growth, both personally and professionally. While it was bittersweet to see John head off to college—a significant transition for our close-knit family— witnessing him thrive brings us immense joy. Luke and I cherish the memories of visiting him for family weekend; it’s amazing to see your child spread their wings and embrace new horizons.
Meanwhile, my business has continued to flourish. We’re now stocked in numerous small shops and even some major museums and the airport here in Massachusetts! My dad always said, “Throw enough mud and some will stick,” and that’s been my motto when reaching out to stores. Persistence pays off!
My creative endeavors have also expanded in exciting ways. My watercolor designs are now available as fabric and wallpaper patterns through Spoonflower, a company I admire for its commitment to quality and sustainability.
Embracing a new challenge, I’ve begun teaching watercolor classes at Noted. These intimate gatherings have become a source of delight, allowing me to share my passion with others. Each class offers a different project— from cute crabs to autumnal leaves—and I’m constantly developing new ways to inspire and guide beginners. This experience has even led to the creation of my own line of paintbrushes and paintable watercolor cards, with workbooks and online classes on the horizon.
My goal is to keep creating, learning, and sharing the joy of watercolor with others. I feel incredibly fortunate to do what I love.
Pets in the Studio
Our family wouldn’t be complete without our two beloved rescue dogs, Max and Poppy. Poppy, a 14-year-old lab mix, joined our family when Conor was just a baby. (I may have been a tad broody for another little one, even if it was of the furry variety!) While I adore my boys, it was nice to have another girl around the house.
When Poppy was six, she started to seem a bit lonely and listless, often sleeping the day away. That’s when Max bounded into our lives. Our neighbors were fostering him, and it was love at first sight. Now, Max is my constant shadow, always by my side while I’m creating, while Poppy prefers to make the occasional cameo appearance in the studio.
The Process
My day begins with the comforting ritual of coffee and a quiet walk along the beach with Luke and our dogs. As we search for sea glass treasures, we chat about upcoming projects and plans for the day. When I return home, I typically start with a yoga, Pilates, or Peloton session before heading to my studio.
My studio is nestled in our sunroom, a bright and airy space overlooking the yard and pool. During the summer, it’s filled with warm coastal breezes and the tangy fragrance of salt air; in the winter, I simply crank up the heat! With its white-painted floors and walls, and a cheerful blue ceiling, the room is bathed in natural light streaming through three walls of windows. I paint at an old, paint-splattered table—a perfect canvas for my creative endeavors. I simply tape my watercolor paper directly to its surface and let the inspiration flow.
My best paintings emerge when I’m completely relaxed and present. Free from distractions and worries, I light a candle, fill my French yogurt pots with water, and turn on some music. French music is a favorite, but I also find inspiration in the soothing sounds of artists like Norah Jones, Carly Simon and Joni Mitchell.
I often start by simply playing with the paint—swatching colors, dropping water onto the paper to create spontaneous seascapes. It’s a wonderfully freeing and meditative process. Other times, I have a specific vision in mind, like my Birthday Animal series, where I brought puns to life with a cheetah declared the “party animal” and a dachshund enjoying a “hot dog” kind of day.
Of course, not every painting is a masterpiece. Some days the magic just isn’t there, or while I might love the process, the result isn’t quite right for my products. Other times, I paint with specific products in mind, like my popular whale and lobster designs, the birthday collection, or the ever-favorite calendar.
Once I have a collection of paintings ready to be transformed, I scan them at high resolution and use Photoshop to prepare them for printing. I collaborate with a wonderful local printer, TPI Solutions Ink, a family-owned business that helps me bring my creations to life in unique and exciting ways.
Then comes the challenge of storage! Living in an old house, climate control is essential for my products. So, I’ve gradually taken over a bedroom, which doubles as our office, to house the ever-growing inventory. (Though, I confess, boxes are slowly starting to creep into other rooms!)
Finally, with the products printed and photographed, I eagerly share them on my blog and online shop. Launch days always feel like Christmas! There’s nothing quite like the thrill of seeing how people respond to my new creations.
Tips for Creative Entrepreneurs:
My best advice, learned over 13 years of business
- HAVE SOMEONE WHO BELIEVES IN YOU AND WHO YOU CAN CONFIDE IN. For me, that is my husband. He is always there to help and support me. He helps me with pop-ups and markets. He does the accounting for me, and he will always listen if I have worries. He also drives the little Kei Truck (it’s actually his truck) that we bought and hope to do lots of pop-ups out of the back. I featured this truck on one of our holiday cards. Luke is my biggest fan and my biggest support. It helps to have someone like that when you’re starting a creative business.
- THINK ABOUT SELLING YOUR PRODUCTS WHOLESALE. This has become a huge aspect of my business, and I love working with small shops. You should think about pricing your products so you can do wholesale. Wholesale is usually half of what you retail your products for.
- WE TRIED SOME WHOLESALE MARKETS BUT HAVE FOUND MORE SUCCESS ON FAIRE which works better for me because I can do that from home.
- FIND A LOCAL PRINTER IF YOU’RE PRINTING YOUR PRODUCTS YOURSELF. Oftentimes, printers can work with you and can help you tailor your products to make people recognize them as “your brand.”
- BALANCE IS SO IMPORTANT. I believe it’s important to push yourself and your art making but I also believe there’s a time to take a break and rest.
- THERE WILL BE A GAP IN WHAT YOU’RE ABLE TO MAKE AND WHAT YOU WANT TO MAKE when you first start creating. Be okay with that. Know that you’ll get there but it will just take time. Malcolm Gladwell said that it takes 10,000 hours to get good at your craft (though it’s more of an expression than a truth). I’m still learning every day, and every day I’m getting better. I still am not good at lots of things, like painting portraits of people, but maybe one day I will be.
- TOP TIP: DON’T GIVE UP. KEEP GOING. As my dad would say, “Keep throwing mud…” You will get there and when you do, you’ll be so happy you did.
