I have been a maker since I was a child, always finding myself experimenting with new creative outlets. I was fortunate to have wonderful art programs in grade school and was always encouraged and supported in my interests in the arts by my family. As I grew older, I knew that I wanted to pursue the arts and went to Penn State University and studied art education. This is where I was able to fully dive into the arts and experiment with different media, trying out drawing, painting, screen printing, and ceramics. There was just something special about ceramics. It was the place I felt most happy. I remember a  particular 8:00 am class my sophomore year that was all the way across campus. I loved it and hated it all at the same time. I still remember slugging through the snow bright and early to catch the bus with my cup of coffee in hand (it was the worst). But as soon as I would get into class I would forget about the time of day and the miserable journey I just took across campus. I was in my zone. With the clay in my hands I was calm and focused and it set the tone for the day ahead. 

The boys and I have spent a lot of time in the studio together with our art materials spread across the table, music turned up, and fully immersed in the creative process. Sharing these creative experiences with Weston and Max has transformed our relationships and brought so much richness and depth to our time spent together. Weston is an incredibly hard worker, caring and such a little creative. Max is full of spunk, all boy, but so, so sweet.  A song that continued to cycle through the studio during our time spent together was Happy by Pharrell Williams. As Pharrell belts out his lyrics my boys shout out ”What is happiness?!”… and respond to their own question…“this is happiness!!” And This is Happiness Studio was born.