I am a maker, illustrator, painter, and dog person. I work primarily with pen and ink, gouache, textiles, and digital illustration. From an early age, I learned to translate my experience of the world through drawing and I have always been inspired by natural history, folk art, and children’s books. I tell stories using plants and animals, rich color, and an underlying playfulness.
Recent projects include illustrating the book Meditation for Kids, written by Tejal V. Patel, published in 2020 and completing a painting series in 2022 funded by a grant from Portland’s Regional Arts and Culture Council.
My illustration and craft styling clients include: Nike, West Elm, Martha Stewart, Etsy, Rejuvenation, Pottery Barn, Real Simple, Ralph Lauren, Food Network, Gourmet, Bon Appetit, Parents Magazine, Country Living & The Today Show.
I was born in Amsterdam and raised in Topanga and Santa Barbara, CA. I received my BFA in Painting at the University of Hawai'i and taught mixed media art classes at the Honolulu Museum of Art School and Temari Center for Asian & Pacific Arts. I worked as a set stylist and prop maker in NYC for many years before migrating to Portland where I have had my homewares and design shop Scout & Whistle since 2012. I currently reside in Portland, OR with my husband Darren Pasemko and two wild dogs.