Rescue, from the Old French rescourre, means “to save” or “to set free.” A noble origin for a word I like to think I’ve been casually practicing all along. My art is, at its core, an ongoing act of rescue: salvaging discarded materials (clothes, cardboard, forgotten odds and ends), reviving time-honored methods (tincture brewing, maple syrup tapping, sewing, whittling), and tending to ways of life that modernity keeps trying to rush past and squash down (gift economies, mutual aid, slower and softer rhythms).

Why “Rose”? For one, it’s the name of my objectively adorable rescue pup, Rosie—yes, I’m biased, but also correct. She was found darting near a highway and has since evolved from skittish shadow to full-fledged sass queen. Watching her transformation has been one of the great joys of my life. In the aftermath of a divorce and while healing from a serious injury, her steady affection did what no prescription could: it soothed an overwhelmed nervous system. She reminds me daily that in rescuing others—be they people, places, or things—we often find ourselves rescued right back.

My work is shaped by many landscapes and lifetimes: a decade as a park ranger, more than three years living in South America, my Midwestern roots, and deep respect for Indigenous cultures who have long held these practices not as trends, but as truths.

Each garment I divert from the landfill is a small act of resistance—and a quiet homage to the dazzling, unapologetic fashionistas of Carnival in Rio de Janeiro. Every plantable coloring book I share carries the magic of engaging creatively with some of the world’s biggest challenges, something I cherished facilitating as an educational park ranger. And each person I collaborate with in the making and sharing of art is a reminder that building the world we want to live in starts with community.

I’m a proud dog mom, a delighted auntie to many nephews, and a devoted friend, daughter, sister, dancer, artist, and social justice advocate.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out—I’d love to connect.