A Wisconsin native, I grew up on the coast of Lake Michigan, swimming in lakes, sledding down hills, and wondering what life was like elsewhere. Growing up, our vacations stayed close to home and I had no real concenpt of life outside of WI. Humid, hot summers, and frigid cold winters shovelling snow I do believe build character and resilience, that I hope I can say I have gathered, but the Midwest, while it always will hold a tender spot in my heart, was not meant to be my home forever.

I am a firm believer that there is a place for everybody, and that means where you live, not just who you are. Where we reside matters. Who we are around matters. The energy of a place matters, and not all places are for everyone.

So in 2015, when the opportunity to move to California presented itself, I grabbed it, and never looked back.

Hello! I am Allison

Obstacles arose, and it was more than one battle, which I did not initially win, to get all 4 of my children over to CA.

Obstacles that would span the duration of my three and a half years there.

Life on the Central Coast was not the shell shock that I think most envision when I explain this point of my life. Monterey, too, is a small town in the U.S. and people are people. But the consistent weather was not for me. Nor was the dryness or the lack of deciduous trees. I wanted more color, more height, more variance, more water. I wanted more than what the central coast could offer, and there were signs that this was not the spot for me and my family. So as the obstacles persisted, even after having everyone together, I made the decision to move again, to another state.

I have been in the PNW since 2018 and am so happy I get to call Washington home! It just feels good. I love the outdoors and you can always find me in the sun whenever it is out - hiking, paddle boarding, jogging, or enjoying the gardens around my home.

2 of my children are now grown, and I have a granddaughter, Aryah, who loves to paint with me. I just bought a house and am so grateful for this opportunity, and expansion of space, to be able to create in, including regular events - so please come back and visit from time ot time so you can see what new is happening!

Thanks for visiting!