The Making
of an Artist.

I love the exactness of a great haircut. A line can be a fraction off and change everything. Then there's the creative side, where you learn when to trust your eye.

I grew up in Ohio and studied mathematics before making my way into hair. Looking back, that combination makes a lot of sense. I've always liked balance, shape and the little details other people might miss. Of course, a person is more interesting than a formula, and that's what keeps this work creative.

I spent years building my skills behind the chair, then moved into education, including teaching with TONI&GUY. Teaching changed the way I thought about technique. When another stylist asks why you make a certain choice, you need to know your answer. I loved that challenge, and I still do.

Once I was working in Santa Monica, I had the chance to assist Sonya and Christopher Dove on an editorial shoot. I remember how much there was to take in just by watching experienced artists work. I've also worked on freelance education projects for Wella, sharing techniques with other professionals while picking up ideas from them in return.

“I still want to learn something every time I walk into a room.”

There have been some remarkable opportunities along the way, including a hairstylist exchange in Japan in 2019 and backstage work during fashion week in Paris and Milan. Those jobs can be fast and demanding. You're working alongside people with different strengths, solving problems as you go, and making sure the finished look feels effortless even when getting there wasn't.

And then I come home to Santa Monica, where I get to work one-on-one with my clients. I enjoy the big creative projects, but I enjoy the quieter work just as much. A cut that falls into place, a color that suits someone's skin tone, or a client who finally feels comfortable with their hair. That matters to me.