The Birth of the Moons
Moondrop came to life in 2017 and is a one-woman operation in Cleveland, Ohio. I create in my free time outside of my full-time day job as a graphic designer, advisor for public health (you can read more about that in the next section, The Graphic Artist). The story of Moondrop’s birth is from the combination of a broken heart, magical timing, and stepping out of my comfort zone into the free art scene in Atlanta, GA. I firmly believe I was in the perfect place to receive to a magical download of an idea. I relate it to what Elizabeth Gilbert describes in her book, "Big Magic". In her chapter "How Ideas Work", she calls the creative process "both magical and magic." And that ideas are constantly floating around us, waiting for us to say yes. I was in a place where I was, as she said, "open and relaxed enough to actually receive something". I started painting in the spring of 2017 to take my mind off that broken heart. Just like the advice offered from Carrie Fisher, I took my broken heart and made it into art. I was given a set of used paints and brushes and painted my very first watercolor painting—the moon. After a few more paintings, I decided to frame a set of 3 and set them outside in well-known places in my Cabbagetown Atlanta neighborhood to be picked up by fellow free art enthusiasts. (Check out the hashtag #fafatl on Instagram to see what I’m talking about.) The free art scene calls the art leave-behinds “drops”. And since my free art “drops” were moons, the name “Moondrop” was instantly mine. The rest of the story is me following the ebb and flow of living a creative life, the waxing and waning of motivation and productivity. I have always been drawn to the mystery, beauty, and darkness and light of the moon, the cosmos in general, and where our place is in all of it. These otherworldly expressions are from my soul, and I am so grateful to share them with the world.
The Graphic Artist
My passion lives at the core where a drive to serve the greater good, creativity, innovation, collaboration, and dreams spark. I dedicate my talent and energy to intentionally crafting visuals that vividly and powerfully communicate by immersing myself in the process. Ensuring communications go beyond aesthetics. Recognizing the pivotal role of visual communication in conveying complex ideas and engaging audiences to enhance well-being, I am passionate about creating a lasting and meaningful impact through an approach that is empathetic, prioritizing the needs and interests of the audience.
Nine years ago, I made a personal commitment that my art and design would contribute to the collective well-being. As a result, I am a graphic designer, advisor, for Peraton working as a contractor for CDC's National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion as the dedicated artist for the Office of Communications. I have 22 years of experience in creative thinking, graphic artistry, creative problem solving, and visual storytelling. When it comes to solving complex design problems, I have a refreshing business sensibility that allows me to create engaging design solutions that break through the clutter, connect with audiences, and drive desired outcomes based on customer needs through a variety of digital media and print channels. My work is rooted in a technical understanding of how color, typography, balance, and clear messaging work together to make interactions more intuitive and breathe life into a brand. Having worked in a variety of industries, my design process builds context and empathy through research, extensive requirements gathering, and a deep understanding of my audience. My portfolio showcases a variety of projects, ranging from graphic design for public health, the sophistication of corporate materials, to imaginative and engaging infographics and pitch decks. I am at home with transforming concepts into compelling visual narratives, and I am at ease navigating the constantly evolving landscape of design tools and trends.
Before my work with the Chronic Center, I played a central role in the CDC’s Zika Response, co-directing the creative design for all communication materials that were created during the emergency response. Prior to working at the CDC, I worked as a self-employed designer and art director in Atlanta, as the lead creative for a regional publishing house, and as a graphic designer at an advertising agency in Florida.