My name means “One who Gives Life”. This is significant not only because I am a woman but also because I am an artist. Art is an act of creation, of breathing life into that which had none. My artistic journey has taught me that there are many ways to create, build and shape life. I see architecture as the intersection of art and community. Some of my favorite studio projects have incorporated community building at the center of the design intent. Architecture is for people. Sometimes artists forget about the people who will live, breathe and interact with our art. We can get so wrapped up in the more conceptual ideas of the project that we forget to actually make it work. It must be beautiful and functional. That  is what community input does for architecture; it brings back a sense of practicality and compassion for the user. As an artist I also understand the need for beauty and life in the spaces I create. Spaces that are beautiful but also practical to address the needs of the people utilizing the space.