My experiences from my study abroad in Copenhagen, Denmark continue to shape the work I do in and outside of the art studio. I studied Interior Architecture, which I found to be a necessary endeavor for me as a fine arts student and am pleasantly surprised with what I learned, especially while reflecting on that opportunity. I was immersed in a hands-on program where we sketched interior spaces, analyzed historic and contemporary architecture, visited homes of renowned architects, and built meaningful relationships. All of which have deeply impacted the way I perceive the world around me today.

Throughout the two months I spent there, I developed a new appreciation for interior spaces that were focusing on how individuals interact in their space and how that space can augment one’s life. I began to consider more often how I might try and further develop this appreciation once I got back home to Ann Arbor. One thing that stuck with me was my gratitude for that program for instilling in me the importance of keeping a daily visual journal. Developing the habit of drawing everyday took the pressure off of creating, I was encouraged to draw something for fun or to preserve memory or simply because I appreciated the aesthetic. After a few weeks back home, I began creating the art I wanted to see in the elaborate spaces I had seen during my study abroad. The ease of creating was translated into my paintings and ceramics. I painted more frequently and more boldly. I began planning and sketching bodies of work to execute in my ceramics course. There was more meaning behind the work I was doing on my own because I had nourished my creative self everyday. My studies in Scandinavia will forever be a cherished memory and a valuable lesson to my work and to who I want to become as an artist and individual. Seeing my work transform since that opportunity has showed me that travel truly is the best teacher and inspires me to continue to explore and expand as I continue to create.