Get to know the artist

Animals have always been my quiet refuge. While other kids played on the playground, I found comfort in the quiet company of stray cats, birds, and whatever wildlife wandered close enough to observe. Two of those strays, Negrito and Tiger, became my childhood companions and remained by my side into adulthood. They were the beginning of my lifelong devotion to animals.

In 2019, when Negrito was diagnosed with stomach cancer, I began painting professionally to help pay for his treatments. I worked long shifts at a veterinary ER and spent evenings creating portraits. What started from necessity became a passion that never left—guided by his memory long after he passed.

My style is what I call dreamy realism: artwork that feels true to the subject but still soft, warm, and beautiful in a way that goes beyond photo replication. I want my paintings to carry emotion—moments you can feel and memories you can hold.

After becoming a mother, I felt inspired to expand beyond custom pet portraits. I now create art that reflects our connection to animals, nature, and the stories that shape us. My background in history and my work in wildlife rehabilitation and veterinary medicine continue to influence the themes I explore.

Tiger passed in 2022 after seventeen years by my side, but he and Negrito remain at the heart of my work. Today, Leo—my soul dog and proud Chief Artwork Inspector—sits beside me for nearly every painting. Along with my three cats (Hank, Chancho, and Tequila) and two other dachshunds (Sophie and Summer), my home is full of inspiration.

It means so much to me when someone trusts me with a commission. I understand how deeply animals shape our lives, and I create each artwork with that tenderness and gratitude.

Above all, I hope to show my daughter that it’s never too late to follow your dreams. With passion and heart, you can build something meaningful—and honor the things you love along the way. As a Latina Canadian artist, I hope my journey reminds her that she can create her own path, no matter where it begins.