Greetings! I am an author and artist living in Chicago with my husband, Jonny, and our two children, Ruthie and Jacob. A typical day begins with stretching and a walk through our East Village neighborhood—a refreshing time for prayer and reflection. I love noticing the layers of beauty around me, whether in architecture, landscapes, murals, or even the weather.
After my walk, I move into writing or painting, depending on my current projects or deadlines. I’ve had two Christian poetry books published by Cladach Publishing—I Cry Unto You, O Lord and I Rise to Your Light—and have also self-published two 60-day devotionals in the Psalms, On the Water and In the Badlands. In addition, I’ve written a middle-grade fiction trilogy titled Penguin Flight and Fall.
I enjoy switching between art and writing. My artwork includes colorful landscape paintings, mixed-media abstracts, and home commissions around Chicago. I’ve also designed a playground for our children’s school, helped with fundraising efforts, and created a vibrant mural on an old railway container once covered in graffiti. When I’m not working on a project, I’m helping my kids with homework, cooking enchiladas for dinner, or relaxing with my family while watching a baking show.
I earned my Bachelor of Science in 2006 and Master of Architecture in 2008 from Ball State University, where I met my husband. After graduating, we began our careers in architectural design in downtown Chicago. For eight years, we practiced architecture, played beach volleyball, and tutored inner-city kids.
When our daughter was born in 2014 and our son in 2016, I faced two back surgeries—one before and one after having children. During that time, I turned to painting and poetry as a way to process pain and talk with God. Those reflections eventually became my first published book, I Cry Unto You, O Lord, thanks to the encouragement of Leland Ryken, a professor at Wheaton College. That combination of art and writing has remained at the heart of my creative work. Following a spinal fusion in 2020, I found even more space to write, read, and create. With my children now in school full time, I’ve also branched into landscape design, service projects, and teaching art classes to youth groups in the city.
At Concordia Lutheran High School, I played soccer, basketball, and ran track all four years. I was also active in the Spanish Club and National Honor Society. Coming from a small Lutheran school, St. John Flatrock, Concordia helped me grow in confidence as an athlete, student, and young woman. The encouragement of the staff and the friendships I formed there gave me a strong foundation and lasting joy.
To current students, my advice is simple: get involved in as much as you can, make friends across grades, work hard, and have fun—high school is a special season in life.
A few of my favorite Bible passages are Ephesians 3:1–21, Romans 5:1–5, Philippians 4:8–9, and Psalm 33:20–22.
My husband, Jonny, and I are blessed with our two children—Ruthie, age 11, who loves piano and creating, and Jacob, age 9, who loves baseball. My maiden name is Hockemeyer. My older brother Andy, sister Rachel, and younger brother Adam all attended Concordia. My parents, great aunt, and home church, Soest Lutheran, supported our education with great diligence and sacrifice.