My Story

Welcome to the journey behind Geospatial Art Maps – where passion for adventure, beautiful landscapes, and knowledge of the environment meets the artistry and evolution of cartography.

As a proud tribal member of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians, my roots are deeply embedded in the scenic landscapes surrounding Manistee, Michigan. Growing up amidst miles of forests, inlet waterways, and lakes, including Lake Michigan, I developed a profound connection with the natural world. Participating in activities such as fishing, paddling, swimming, biking, hiking, foraging, skiing, and snowmobiling fueled my passion for exploration. These outdoor experiences provided abundant opportunities to develop and refine my navigation skills through careful observation, reliance on natural landmarks, local knowledge, and accumulated experience.

My passion for new adventures led me from rural Michigan to the U.S. Air Force, offering a platform to traverse the breathtaking terrains of the U.S. and Europe. Amidst my military journey, I learned valuable lessons in confidence, leadership, and the camaraderie of shared experiences. Folding maps and atlases were the source of inspiration for my numerous travel adventures, including motorcycle rides throughout Europe, backpacking across Ireland, and getting married in a German castle. These adventures instilled a deep appreciation for making memories.

Eager to formalize my understanding of the natural world, I utilized my veteran's benefits and held various part-time jobs to pursue higher education. Along the way, I celebrated one of the most joyous moments of my life: the arrival of my son, Derek. He soon became our enthusiastic co-pilot on numerous road trips across the central, southern, and eastern United States. Our family’s early adventures were mapped out with stacks of MapQuest printouts, a stark contrast to today’s seamless GPS navigation.

Today, I proudly hold a Ph.D. in Environmental Science from the University of Massachusetts Boston, an M.S. in Natural Resource Planning from the University of Vermont, and a B.S. in Science Studies from the University of Michigan. My Ph.D. research, generously funded by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the National Science Foundation, was centered on urban estuaries. Guided by GPS map technology, my research took me to unforgettable fieldwork adventures, collecting specimens and water samples from Lake Champlain, Vermont, the New England coastal area, estuaries in Florida, and urban rivers in New Jersey and New York.  

In the realm of natural science, geographic information systems, and remote sensing, my fascination with cartography bloomed. My journey at UMass Boston saw the creation of my first maps, one of which, depicting the Neponset River Estuary, earned a feature in the esteemed journal Ocean and Coastal Management.

Transitioning into academia, I found a home as a professor at an urban community college in Boston, Massachusetts. Here, I not only taught oceanography, environmental science, and environmental policy but also designed a new geographical information systems course and co-designed an environmental science program. As the Department Chair of Environmental Science, I earned tenure status while nurturing the next generation of diverse undergraduate students.

Today, I call Gloucester, Massachusetts, home. Here, surrounded by the maritime beauty of New England, I find inspiration for my signature art map collection through day hikes, boat trips along the ocean, and new travel excursions with my husband, James.

Join me on this cartographic odyssey, where each map is a unique reflection of my love for exploration, appreciation for diverse landscapes, and the joy of sharing map stories with you.